What keeps a local store alive for generations? 🧠
Hint: it’s not algorithms—it’s people! ❤️

✅ How Teddy Shoes began in 1957 with a risk, a family bet, and $11,000

✅ Steve Adelson’s unexpected path from hospitality to small business ownership

✅ Why being “passed over” sparked a legacy that still thrives today

✅ The smart pivot that turned Teddy Shoes into a dance-world destination

✅ Building trust with brands like Capezio, Fuego, and global dance suppliers

✅ Why in-person fitting still beats online shopping every time

✅ How customer-first thinking keeps people loyal for decades

✅ What it means to be named a Cambridge Legacy Business

✅ Balancing e-commerce with brick-and-mortar authenticity

✅ Why relationships—not profit—drive long-term success

Trends fade—but businesses rooted in service and community always find their footing. 🧠 👟

Website: https://www.teddyshoes.com/

Steve Adelson arrived at Teddy Shoes, Inc. on August 21, 1978. Having graduated from four years of college at Michigan State University with a degree in business and a minor in Hotel & Restaurant Management and one year as an assistant food manager working at Saga Food Service at the University of Miami, Steve got an offer from his dad Ted to join Teddy Shoes. Dad had three stores at the time ( Cambridge, Somerville and Watertown ) and could use the help running the operation. Steve always wanted to have the opportunity to be his own boss, but never thought he would end up in the family business.

So the partnership began! The store specialized in family footwear and factory seconds/cancellations during its inception in 1957 and through the 80’s. In 1985, the Davis Square Somerville location was lost because of higher lease costs. East Boston under the name Kushner’s was added to the store’s operations. In 1987, Steve began the process of buying the business, and Teddy Shoes became Teddy Shoes, Inc.

In 1993, a turning point came in the life of the business. Factory seconds and cancellations dried up, and the decision to add more dance lines to the store's business began. First, Capezio had closed two of its operations near us, and customers were asking for the brand. So a $3000 opening order was written ( This seemed like an astronomical amount at the time ), and then brands like Bloch, Body Wrappers, Motionwear, Sansha and So Danca were added in the years that followed.

Today Teddy Shoes, Inc. has become a mecca for dance beginners and aficionados. 

In May 2013, a new website was launched which brought many of the store’s products online. Last year a new logo and home page was developed. Further improvements will be forthcoming. Today 88% of the business comes from Dance!

As the store enters its 60th anniversary, Steve will be completing his 39th season. Large footsteps were left by the originator himself, Theodore Adelson, Mr. Teddy himself. Steve is proud to be carrying on the tradition of this valuable institution that serves the dance community and the greater Boston area. As is customary, Steve welcomes your comments, interaction and suggestions. He can be reached at the store at 617-354-2987 or via email at [email protected].

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