Early in my finance career, when the loss of some local business to the “experts from out-of-town” was visibly gnawing at me, one of my mentors said, “Paul, don’t let it bug you so much. It’s just business. It’s not personal.” For better and for worse (mostly better), I’ve never been able to follow that advice. To me, business involves people and people are what it’s all about in life – so it has to be personal. I’ve always believed in taking a personal approach to business, particularly when it comes to management and customer relationships.

So, when one of our biggest supporters in the web-community AskAndyAboutClothes.com asked to see us make a pair of shoes for him -- I jumped at the chance. When he asked to bring his young son along for the experience, I was doubly enthusiastic. Our guest, Gerard Toohey, who drove up from Chicago for the tour, turned out also to be an excellent writer as well as a big fan of our shoes. He chronicled his time in Port Washington better than we ever could have anticipated. If you’re at all interested in how shoes are made, I encourage you to click here to read Gerard’s terrific web journal.

Gerard seems to have struck a chord with a lot of people. Over 8500 people have logged-on to the “thread” and experienced Gerard’s photos and writing. For many Allen Edmonds customers, their shoes are highly personal and the reasons they purchased them are as varied as our many styles. They may wear AE shoes because the superior fit has a custom-made feel or because they remember how their dad or a trusted mentor may have unforgettably introduced them to AE. Wearing Allen Edmonds shoes may be a part of their professional image, or they may have a special pair that they bought for their wedding day and still enjoy after years of wear and a few recraftings. For some it’s just the value found in supporting a great American product with an authentic and rich American heritage.

That day with Gerard was a real business highlight for several of us here at the plant. We enjoyed having the two of them here as much or more than he and his son enjoyed the visit, I’m sure. Having only interacted with him via email before the visit, it was great to put a face, a life story and a name together. He’s a good man and now a friend. It may be business, but it’s definitely personal.

Best wishes,


Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

The Fourth of July

The "Fourth of July” and “Made in the USA” are two weighty phrases for Americans. I’m a bit of a history fanatic, and in the past couple of years I’ve read some of the outstanding newer books about the founding of our country and its early years. Among the slow-moving pile on the nightstand, David McCullough’s John Adams and his 1776 have both offered fascinating revelations about how the United States of America came into being, guided often miraculously by Providence. In addition to the horrific wars fought, lives lost, twists of fate, sudden changes in weather and heroic feats that created our country and then, ever since, defended it, I find it also amazing to read of the learned debates, the personal perseverance and the incredible wisdom that were required to create a nation so well worth preserving.

American industrial achievement is also a huge factor in our history. Like so many of you, I’m stunned by the number of great U.S. manufacturing companies that no longer actually manufacture anything in the U.S. We all understand the cost advantages of low-wage countries, but we also know that there’s much more than low wages that go into being successful in business. Creativity, ingenuity, commitment to excellence, common employee dedication and, most important, listening and delivering what customers want and need are what drive success. That’s what we’re all about at Allen Edmonds today. While 90% of all shoes bought in America are imported, we still offer Made in the USA. We intend to continue earning our customers’ faith and support by delivering what they want and need – authenticity, superior value, long-lasting quality, diverse product offerings and excellent styling.

Don’t you sometimes wonder what Washington, Adams and Jefferson would think if they could see the USA now? I’m sure they’d be immensely proud of American successes over the 12 generations since those scorching summer debates in Philadelphia. They would indeed see the “shining city on a hill” that has done so much to advance humankind in that time frame, and they wouldn’t expect anything like perfection. But I think they’d look at our economy today and want to give us a good swift kick.

We feel that kick here at Allen Edmonds. We greatly appreciate the guidance and support of our customers, who are the whole reason we’re here. To them, our suppliers, our other business partners, our communities and our employees…Happy Fourth of July! and Thank You! for your dedication. We are so fortunate to live in this country.

Enjoy your 4th of July weekend!

Best wishes,


Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

Happy Father’s Day

Father’s Day…those two words conjure up many thoughts, memories and emotions. More than any other, Father’s Day seems the perfect day for Allen Edmonds. Over the years, countless loyal customers have told us how their dads took them in their late teens or early twenties to a store and said, “Son, good shoes are important. A successful man needs to wear shoes that look good, fit right and are well made.” -- or something along those lines -- and then bought the son his first pair of Allen Edmonds. I just received an email a few days ago from the manager of our Madison Avenue store in New York City, passing along greetings from a customer. The customer was in the store with his retired father, and this time it was the son buying a pair of shoes for his dad.

The Allen Edmonds tradition passes from one generation to the next and, apparently, back again. With that in mind, we came up with some special gifts for Father’s Day. In addition to offering great shoes, belts and ties, we’ve put Father’s Day greetings on shoe trees and tie racks. We thought it’d be great for dads to see a “World’s Greatest Dad” or “Happy Father’s Day” message every morning and evening throughout the year -- not just one day in June. When you consider the cost of a paper greeting card, these everyday/twice-a-day greetings are an awfully good deal. Check them out on our website.

I wish I could say that my dad introduced me to Allen Edmonds shoes specifically, but he didn’t. Having battled alongside his parents through the Great Depression and served in WW II, he did teach me a lot about integrity, authenticity, working hard, quality, the value of money, faith and pride in America, and the importance of family. So, I think he actually did point me in Allen Edmonds’ direction all those years ago. (He also showed me how to drive a golf ball a long way and chunk a wedge …but that’s a fun story for another time.)

From our family to yours, Happy Father’s Day!


Best wishes,

Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

Manufacturing shoes in the U.S. these days requires a special commitment, and great craftspeople. Today, we stopped production at our Wisconsin plant at 10:00…to celebrate 25 years of service from Darlene Barnes, who is retiring. We had cake and coffee, gave Darlene an inscribed watch and thanked her for her long career with Allen Edmonds.

A bit about Darlene. She works at a machine in our insole preparation area, applying the tape rib to the insoles that creates the foundation of the shoe. In the picture you can see Darlene’s hands at work. Similar to laying the cornerstone of a building, it’s onto this ribbing that we sew the welt, which then allows us to bring the shoe parts together on the last. Amazingly, in the past 25 years Darlene has missed a grand total of 2 days! That’s probably a company record. Darlene plans to spend time on her vegetable garden in retirement, so those skilled and careful hands will stay busy.

During the celebration, our marketing director asked me, “When was the last time you attended a retirement party for anyone?” Good question. In today’s society it’s rare to find 25 year tenured employees, and that got us to thinking about Darlene’s efforts at Allen Edmonds. In her years of sewing here, it is likely her hands helped create the foundation for 6.8 million shoes – possibly including the shoes you are wearing as you read this blog.

It was a nice feeling for our company to celebrate Darlene’s accomplishments and I suppose it was an even greater feeling for her. Darlene, from all of us at Allen Edmonds, thank you for your hard work, your dedication to quality and for being part of our family!

Best wishes,


Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation

Introducing the Crosstown Collection

When you’re one of the last manufacturers of any product in the U.S., it’s crucial not to miss major consumer preference developments in your marketplace. In the men’s footwear industry, that means rubber-bottom dress shoes that double as attractive casual shoes when a day on-the-road is done.

Introducing the CROSSTOWN COLLECTION - five new shoe styles that bring Allen Edmonds quality to a category of shoes that really needed a high quality product offering. Mike Rancourt, our head of Product Development, and his team designed these shoes to offer premium value to customers in every way. The sole is a durable rubber composite that’s extremely lightweight and yet office-ready (i.e. professional-looking). The insole has a newly-created cushion comfort system we call “Flex-Lite” which is designed for all day comfort. We use fine European calfskin for the leathers to give the shoes great looks, great wearability and great longevity. The styling is sleek and up-to-date. Other companies would charge much more for shoes of this quality, but we’ve brought them out at only $199. “Premium Value” in everything we do is one of our driving commitments at Allen Edmonds.

Consistent with their versatility and their unique Made in the USA manufacturing, we’ve named these shoes after famous places in American cities where people are active at work and at life after-work: New York’s Tribeca, Boston’s Back Bay, Washington’s Georgetown, Chicago’s Bucktown and San Francisco’s Embarcadero. Premium versatile shoes Made in the USA for $199? Believe it.


Best wishes,



Paul D. Grangaard
President & CEO
Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation