Retail

Famous Footwear Corporate Office

Famous Footwear is a wholly owned subsidiary of Calares, who changed its name from the Brown Shoe Company in 2015.

Famous Footwear was founded in 1960 as Neil’s Factory Shoe Outlet by Neil Moldenhauer. The first store was located in Madison, Wisconsin.

In 1963, the company hired Brian Cook to work in the stockroom. He would later become CEO.

In 1964, a second location was opened in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This location was called Famous Footwear.

By 1974, there were 15 stores all operating as Famous Footwear. A majority stake in the chain was purchased by Cook, Dave Orfan and a group of investors.

By 1980, there were 36 stores.

In 1990, a distribution center was built in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

By 1993, there were 722 stores in 44 states.

In 2008, the company headquarters was shut down in Madison and all operations were moved to Brown Shoe Company headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri.

In 2018, the company reported record sales for the second quarter of 2018.

The parent company of Famous Footwear, Caleres, reported a rise in stock prices in early September 2020, most likely due to the reopening of stores after the coronavirus crisis and back-to-school shoe sales.

In October 2022, the parent company of Famous Footwear, Caleres, rolled out Dayforce Wallet, an on-demand pay solution.

Today, the chain operates over 900 stores and maintains a corporate office in St. Louis, Missouri.

Famous Footwear

Famous Footwear is a wholly owned subsidiary of Calares, who changed its name from the Brown Shoe Company in 2015.

Famous Footwear was founded in 1960 as Neil’s Factory Shoe Outlet by Neil Moldenhauer. The first store was located in Madison, Wisconsin.

History

In 1963, the company hired Brian Cook to work in the stockroom. He would later become CEO.

In 1964, a second location was opened in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This location was called Famous Footwear.

By 1974, there were 15 stores all operating as Famous Footwear. A majority stake in the chain was purchased by Cook, Dave Orfan and a group of investors.

By 1980, there were 36 stores.

In 1990, a distribution center was built in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

By 1993, there were 722 stores in 44 states.

In 2008, the company headquarters was shut down in Madison and all operations were moved to Brown Shoe Company headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri.

In 2018, the company reported record sales for the second quarter of 2018.

In October 2022, the parent company of Famous Footwear, Caleres, rolled out Dayforce Wallet, an on-demand pay solution.

Today, the chain operates over 900 stores and maintains a corporate office in St. Louis, Missouri.

Les Schwab Corporate Office

Les Schwab Tire Centers began in 1952 when Leslie Schwab purchased OK Rubber Welders tire store in Prineville, Oregon.

In 1966, Schwab decides to operate OK Rubber Welders as a separate company. He changes the company name to Les Schwab Tire Centers.

By 1972, there are 35 tire center stores.

In 2000, Modern Tire Dealer magazine names Les Schwab Tire Centers as dealer of the year.

In 2006, the company was sued over allegations of gender based discrimination. The case was settled out of court in 2010.

Dick Borgman is named as CEO in 2006.

In 2007, founder Les Schwab died.

In 2008, the company headquarters moves from Prineville to Bend, Oregon.

Today, there are over 375 Les Schwab Tire Centers in 9 Western US states.

In December 2020, Les Schwab was ordered to pay a class action lawsuit of $16 million resulting from workers who were not paid for breaks.

Les Schwab Tire Centers

Les Schwab Tire Centers began in 1952 when Leslie Schwab purchased OK Rubber Welders tire store in Prineville, Oregon.

In 1966, Schwab decides to operate OK Rubber Welders as a separate company. He changes the company name to Les Schwab Tire Centers.

History

By 1972, there are 35 tire center stores.

In 2000, Modern Tire Dealer magazine names Les Schwab Tire Centers as dealer of the year.

In 2006, the company was sued over allegations of gender based discrimination. The case was settled out of court in 2010.

Dick Borgman is named as CEO in 2006.

In 2007, founder Les Schwab died.

In 2008, the company headquarters moves from Prineville to Bend, Oregon.

Today, there are over 375 Les Schwab Tire Centers in 9 Western US states.

In December 2020, Les Schwab was ordered to pay a class action lawsuit of $16 million resulting from workers who were not paid for breaks.

Albertsons was founded in 1939 by Joe Albertson in Boise, Idaho as Albertson’s Food Center. The original store had free parking, a money-back guarantee on products, and an ice cream parlor, all firsts at the time.

The company expands to Oregon, Washington, Utah, and Montana during the 1950s.

In 1959, the company goes public.

In 1964, the company expands to California with the acquisition of Greater All American Markets.

In 1976, the company begins building superstores and starts to phase out its traditional grocery locations.

In 1979, the first warehouse store is opened.

In 1992, the company acquires Jewel Osco and its 74 stores.

In 1999, the chain acquires American Stores Company in a huge acquisition deal.

In 2004, the company acquired both Shaw’s and Star Markets chains.

In 2006, the chain was acquired by SuperValu and taken private.

In 2013, the chain was acquired from SuperValu by Cerberus Capital Management.

Albertsons Companies include more than a dozen subsidiaries.

In October 2022, supermarket giant Kroger announced that it would acquire Albertsons Companies in a massive buyout for almost $25 billion.

Albertsons maintains a corporate office in Boise, Idaho.

Albertsons

The company expands to Oregon, Washington, Utah, and Montana during the 1950s.

History

In 1959, the company goes public.

In 1964, the company expands to California with the acquisition of Greater All American Markets.

In 1976, the company begins building superstores and starts to phase out its traditional grocery locations.

In 1979, the first warehouse store is opened.

In 1992, the company acquires Jewel Osco and its 74 stores.

In 1999, the chain acquires American Stores Company in a huge acquisition deal.

In 2004, the company acquired both Shaw’s and Star Markets chains.

In 2006, the chain was acquired by SuperValu and taken private.

In 2013, the chain was acquired from SuperValu by Cerberus Capital Management.

Albertsons Companies include more than a dozen subsidiaries.

In October 2022, supermarket giant Kroger announced that it would acquire Albertsons Companies in a massive buyout for almost $25 billion.

Albertsons maintains a corporate office in Boise, Idaho.

Sport Chalet Corporate Office

Sport Chalet was founded in 1959 by husband and wife Norbert and Irene Olberz. They purchased a ski and tennis store in La Canada, California, where the company headquarters remains today.

The store was popular because it carried merchandise other stores did not have, like surfboards, scuba and mountain climbing equipment.

In 1981, a second location was opened in Huntington Beach.

By 1987, there were 6 stores. The chain continued to grow in the late 80s and early 90s.

In 1992, the company went public.

In 2011, founder Norbert Olberz died.

Today, there are 54 Sport Chalet stores in California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah. Besides selling sporting goods, many locations have dive pools and offer scuba certification classes.

Sport Chalet

Sport Chalet was founded in 1959 by husband and wife Norbert and Irene Olberz. They purchased a ski and tennis store in La Canada, California, where the company headquarters remains today.

The store was popular because it carried merchandise other stores did not have, like surfboards, scuba and mountain climbing equipment.

In 1981, a second location was opened in Huntington Beach.

History

By 1987, there were 6 stores. The chain continued to grow in the late 80s and early 90s.

In 1992, the company went public.

In 2011, founder Norbert Olberz died.

Today, there are 54 Sport Chalet stores in California, Arizona, Nevada and Utah. Besides selling sporting goods, many locations have dive pools and offer scuba certification classes.

Skechers Corporate Office

Skechers was founded in 1992 by father and son Robert and Michael Greenberg. Robert was the former founder of LA Gear. Skecher was originally planned to import and distribute Doc Martens but soon decided to manufacture and sell their own line.

By 1993, after a lawsuit, the company stopped distributing Doc Martens. The same year, the company introduced the “Chrome Dome”, its first successful shoe.

In 1997, the company began selling footwear in Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe.

By 1998, the company had 30 of its own stores and over 2200 retail accounts. The company also enters the athletic footwear category.

In 1999, the company goes public.

In 2012, the company paid $40 million to settle a class action lawsuit stemming from claims that its Shape Ups helped people lose weight.

Today, Skechers markets more than 3,000 styles of shoes for men, women and children.

Skechers has donated more than 16 million pairs of shoes through its philanthropic program.

In September 2020, Skechers opened 5 new stores in Singapore, creating 40 new jobs during the coronavirus pandemic.

The company maintains a corporate office in Manhattan Beach, California.

Skechers

History

By 1993, after a lawsuit, the company stopped distributing Doc Martens. The same year, the company introduced the “Chrome Dome”, its first successful shoe.

In 1997, the company began selling footwear in Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe.

By 1998, the company had 30 of its own stores and over 2200 retail accounts. The company also enters the athletic footwear category.

In 1999, the company goes public.

In 2012, the company paid $40 million to settle a class action lawsuit stemming from claims that its Shape Ups helped people lose weight.

Today, Skechers markets more than 3,000 styles of shoes for men, women and children.

Skechers has donated more than 16 million pairs of shoes through its philanthropic program.

In September 2020, Skechers opened 5 new stores in Singapore, creating 40 new jobs during the coronavirus pandemic.

The company maintains a corporate office in Manhattan Beach, California.