Keep 62 Year Old Business - Teddy Shoes Alive
Donation protected
Hi! My name is Steven Adelson, I am the proud owner of TEDDY SHOES, INC. Our family-owned small business has operated since 1957 selling family footwear, dance shoes/apparel and more. I am reaching out to the community for help to keep my store alive as the corona virus pandemic has forced me to close my store. I am doing everything humanly possible to keep the store alive, so I can continue to serve my wonderful customers and the dance community that I have been serving for 40+ years. I have been privileged enough to create many jobs throughout my career at Teddy Shoes, and have several wonderful employees who all rely on me to support their families. I have worked with my dad, Teddy right out of college in 1978 and took over the business 21 years ago when my father retired. With 40+ years of my life in the business, Teddy Shoes has become such an important part of my life, and I am not ready to give it up.
Ever since I began working at the store in '78, I have been able to pay my bills and support my family. For the first time since we opened 62 years ago, business has diminished and our future is very much uncertain. Currently I have no way to support my family, as this is the biggest drop in business we’ve ever seen. Teddy Shoes has been my heart and soul for the majority of my life, and I desperately do want to keep the store alive. Serving each and every customer that walks through the door, has been my greatest joy. For 42 years, I have never asked for a dime from anyone, but things have truly taken a turn for the worst, an unexpected turn I was not ready for. I never thought this would happen, but now given the shop is near closing permanently, this is my last straw.
To make matters even worse, my wife, Rhonda is a 100% commission based sales rep whose sales have gone to a complete halt, as the many small businesses (like mine) whom she sells to, are also being forced to put all activity to a stop. At this time, my wife and I have NO income to support us. We are doing everything possible to avoid spending any unnecessary money, but we still have to eat and somehow pay the growing bills.
Closing the store would be a great loss to Central Square and the dance community whom we’ve supported since 1957. Central square is a melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities & we remain one of the last original Central Square businesses. We have had generations of customers shopping at our store because we provide essential products that are very hard to find elsewhere. While everything is going in the way of the internet these days, almost all of our sales are still in-store, because we take pride in good old fashioned customer service, a great shopping experience, and the opportunity for customers to come in and be fitted.
Stores like ours just don't exist anymore. If we have to close doors permanently, I believe the dance community would not be the same. Teddy Shoes far transcends what I ever would have thought possible, and it’s critical we stay alive to support the dancer's existence, the local community, my father’s legacy and our tradition.
Anyone that is able to donate anything, whether it be $1, $5 or $100 - ANYTHING you can provide is truly appreciated beyond words. If you believe in this mission, please share this to your friends, family and on social media, we would truly appreciate it.
We love all of you, our customers, friends and family. We hope everyone stays safe and healthy in these most challenging times.
Sincerely,
Steven Adelson
Owner – Teddy Shoes
Ever since I began working at the store in '78, I have been able to pay my bills and support my family. For the first time since we opened 62 years ago, business has diminished and our future is very much uncertain. Currently I have no way to support my family, as this is the biggest drop in business we’ve ever seen. Teddy Shoes has been my heart and soul for the majority of my life, and I desperately do want to keep the store alive. Serving each and every customer that walks through the door, has been my greatest joy. For 42 years, I have never asked for a dime from anyone, but things have truly taken a turn for the worst, an unexpected turn I was not ready for. I never thought this would happen, but now given the shop is near closing permanently, this is my last straw.
To make matters even worse, my wife, Rhonda is a 100% commission based sales rep whose sales have gone to a complete halt, as the many small businesses (like mine) whom she sells to, are also being forced to put all activity to a stop. At this time, my wife and I have NO income to support us. We are doing everything possible to avoid spending any unnecessary money, but we still have to eat and somehow pay the growing bills.
Closing the store would be a great loss to Central Square and the dance community whom we’ve supported since 1957. Central square is a melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities & we remain one of the last original Central Square businesses. We have had generations of customers shopping at our store because we provide essential products that are very hard to find elsewhere. While everything is going in the way of the internet these days, almost all of our sales are still in-store, because we take pride in good old fashioned customer service, a great shopping experience, and the opportunity for customers to come in and be fitted.
Stores like ours just don't exist anymore. If we have to close doors permanently, I believe the dance community would not be the same. Teddy Shoes far transcends what I ever would have thought possible, and it’s critical we stay alive to support the dancer's existence, the local community, my father’s legacy and our tradition.
Anyone that is able to donate anything, whether it be $1, $5 or $100 - ANYTHING you can provide is truly appreciated beyond words. If you believe in this mission, please share this to your friends, family and on social media, we would truly appreciate it.
We love all of you, our customers, friends and family. We hope everyone stays safe and healthy in these most challenging times.
Sincerely,
Steven Adelson
Owner – Teddy Shoes
Organizer
Steven Adelson
Organizer
Cambridge, MA