Chet's Shoes

Chet's Shoes is a full service family owned company specializing in industrial and recreational footwear. The company encompass six brick and mortar stores, four mobile stores, and an online store to serve you. Quality, fit, and great customer service are the company's top priorities. The company feature brands such as Timberland, Keen, Wolverine,... New Balance, and Justin. Some of the company's stores are Red Wing branded and feature that brand as well as Irish Setter, Worx, and Vasque. Chet Sr. founded Chet's Shoes in Columbia Heights, Minnesota, in 1947. As a member of the merchant marine during World War II, Chet Sr. learned about shoes while on his breaks in New York. While the ship was docked, Chet Sr. worked at a shoe store and learned the importance of fit and quality. After the war, Chet Sr. brought his knowledge back home to Minnesota where he opened Chet's Shoes on the corner of 40th and Central in Columbia Heights. The store later moved to its present site on 44th and Central. Chet's began by selling shoes for the whole family, gradually transitioning to children's shoes and then onto its present specialty, industrial footwear. Chet Jr. joined the company in the '60s, honing his skills as a salesman and eventually becoming a partner with his father. Chet's eventually expanded its stores into Richfield (now moved to Bloomington), Coon Rapids, St. Cloud, and Circle Pines. Chet's began a mobile shoe store business in the '80s and now sports four trucks around the Twin Cities and beyond. Chet Jr. bought the business from his father, becoming full owner in 1992. The third generation is now working and Chet's.Read More