Retro Renovation

Remodel & decorate in Mid Century Style

Home / What to Collect / ... bling to buy

Made in America — shoes from Johansen

pam kueber - Updated: November 18, 2011

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

made in america shoes

Have you been alarmed about the loss of U.S. manufacturing jobs and how the whole middle class is going to hell in a handbasket? If so, here’s an opportunity to vote with your feet — the next time you need a pair of shoes:  A company named Johansen, aka Capp Shoe Company, still manufactures shoes here in the USA. Read this bit from their website, and rejoice:

Sure, we could make more money by closing our factory here in the USA, and making our shoes overseas like most of our competitors, but we are proud of our modern state of the art factory here in Virginia, and of the jobs that we provide for our community. We employ over 175 dedicated, experienced people between our main office and warehouse in Lynchburg, VA and our factory in Gretna, VA. … Our shoemakers are highly skilled men and women with an average experience of over 12 years…

made in america shoes by johanssen
This is a blog about retro… so fundamentally, I am showcasing this company because they seem to have a lot of … granny shoes. But, hey, granny = retro! For this story I pulled screen shots of several women’s styles that I find very retro-appealing — I also see these styles on stylish 20-somethings today, I *think*. In addition, since this is an old skool American company, they offer more than 100 sizes for women — from 4 to 13, and widths from 5A to WW. For men, they offer sizes 7 to 16, and widths in C,D,E, 2E and 3E.

made in american mens shoe from johansenAlso, I think the prices are darned competitive — from $30 – $60 a pair for most women’s shoes. I think that most Made in China shoes at Marshalls or Target cost that much. Buy American! $109-$129 for most of the men’s shoes… which always seem to cost more but are well worth it due to those practical heavy duty soles.

See all the Made in America Johansen shoes on their website here: Johansen Shoes Made in the USA since 1876

Are you interested in finding other Made in America products? I’m currently poking around this site to see if I like it as a resource.

Reader Interactions

Comments are closed. 

55 comments

Comments

  1. Jean Gough says

    Hi Pam,
    My husband and I have been USA product intent for many, many years now, searching out things still made here and not buying in many cases if not. Folks are really starting to be choosy on things being made here, I do feel. To think that we will probably never have the manufacturing that we once here in the states is sad. It has started to turn around somewhat and you hear more and more that companies have brought their business back. It has SO much to do with us, the consumer, and putting pressure on businesses to manufacture here by not buying their goods and letting our voices be heard. When I find something that is made here, I drop the company an email thanking them. Every little bit helps!
    Jean

  2. Lisibelle says

    Looking through the women’s clearance section took me to Elizabeth Montgomery’s wardrobe for Bewitched. The slight heel and simple design of these shoes coordinate perfectly for bold colors and patterns of spring and summer. With Kate Middleton bringing back a hosiery trend, these would be perfectly adorable!

  5. Mod Betty / RetroRoadmap.com says

    Pam – I’m cracking up at your “Granny = Retro” thought, because Retro Roadhusband always accuses me of trying to “Granny it up” a little bit – whether it’s adding a vintage donkey and cart planter to our patio to decorating with vintage vacation plates.

    Thanks so much for the links to the made in USA places – keep ’em coming! I know that many of my friends and readers will be interested in these places. I have to believe that if we all invest our money locally/ made in the USA/ quality products, that we’re sending a message to companies that this is the type of place we want to live in. Thanks for the kick in the pants to do so!

    xo
    Mod Betty

  6. John Briggs says

    Pam:Thanks for the post on American made shoes. The website you linked to at the end of your post is, in my humble opinion, the most complete website for finding American made products. Nice work on your part. I am blogging on all things “Made in America” at simply-american.net. Please visit to read about all sorts of great American products being made by members of our extended American family. I am in the middle of a top ten Made in America holiday gift list. Of interest to your retro renovation following will be a post I will be doing next week on Made in America painting supplies; brushes, tools, ladders and paint. Thanks again for your nice post and your great site. All the best, John

  8. Mary says

    Thank you so much for posting this. I’m trying my best o buy USA, and I hadn’t heard of this company yet. Now, if I could find reasonably priced underwear that’s made in the US I’ll be set.