Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Source for Comfort & Style Footwear in Chicago
Established in 1970, Wesley's Shoes has been a cornerstone of Chicago's footwear retail scene, offering a curated selection of high-quality shoes that blend comfort and style. As a family-owned business, we prioritize personalized service, utilizing modern foot-measurement technology and orthotic fitting expertise to ensure every customer finds their perfect match. Our inventory spans global brands like Hoka, Birkenstock, and Blundstone, catering to infants, children, and adults with hard-to-find sizes and exclusive collections. Recognized as the oldest African American-owned shoe store in the U.S., we've served notable clients including the Obama family and Eric Clapton, while maintaining a commitment to community through initiatives like Share Your Soles, donating gently worn shoes to those in need.Our Hyde Park location provides a welcoming environment where customers receive individualized attention, complemented by extended hours to accommodate busy schedules. With decades of experience, we remain dedicated to preserving the tradition of expert shoe fitting in an era dominated by impersonal retail chains.
Services
Athletic Boots
Casual Sandals
Dress Shoes
Orthotic Fitting
Children's Footwear
Global Brand Selection
Shoe Repair
Size Measurement
Foot Health Consultation
Shoe Donation Program
Details
- Year established: 1970
Highlights and features
- Family-owned since 1970 with generational footwear expertise
- Scientific foot measurement and orthotic fitting specialists
- Carry hard-to-find sizes for the entire family
- Served notable clients including the Obama family
- Community-focused through global shoe donation programs
Services
Athletic Boots
Performance-oriented athletic boots designed for outdoor activities and casual wear. Our selection combines advanced cushioning technology with durable materials for year-round comfort. Expert staff assist in finding proper arch support and sizing for active lifestyles.
Orthotic Fitting
Scientific foot measurement and customized orthotic solutions addressing individual arch and pressure point needs. Our trained specialists use modern diagnostic tools to create personalized support systems that improve gait and reduce foot fatigue.
Global Brand Selection
Curated collection of premium shoes from worldwide manufacturers including Hoka, Birkenstock, and Blundstone. Each brand is selected for its commitment to combining fashion-forward designs with ergonomic engineering for everyday wearability.
Children's Footwear
Specialized children's shoe department featuring proper growth-supporting designs from first steps through adolescence. Offers dancewear, school shoes, and seasonal footwear in multiple widths and sizes to accommodate developing feet.
Shoe Donation Program
Partnership with Share Your Soles initiative accepting gently used shoes for global distribution. Provides sustainable footwear solutions to underserved communities while promoting recycling and reducing landfill waste through donated pre-owned footwear.
People
Alvin J. Wesley
Founder
Pioneering entrepreneur who established Chicago's oldest African American-owned shoe store in 1970, revolutionizing personalized footwear service while championing diversity in retail commerce.
Questions
What makes Wesley's Shoes unique?
We combine family-owned tradition with modern footwear technology, offering personalized fittings, orthotic expertise, and a curated selection of global brands since 1970.
Do you carry hard-to-find shoe sizes?
Yes, we specialize in difficult-to-source sizes for children and adults, including wide and narrow widths across multiple footwear categories.
What brands do you offer?
Our inventory includes Hoka, Birkenstock, Blundstone, Dansko, Dorking, and other premium brands known for combining comfort with stylish designs.
Do you provide orthotic services?
Yes, our trained specialists offer customized orthotic fitting using scientific foot measurement technology to address individual arch and pressure point needs.
Are you open on weekends?
Yes, we're open Saturdays from 9:30 AM to 6 PM and Sundays from 12 PM to 5 PM at our Hyde Park location.
Do you offer shoe repair services?
While we focus on footwear sales, we can recommend trusted local repair services for shoe maintenance and restoration needs.
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