Our Story

Hey, how's it going? So glad you found us! My name is Charlie. My wife Courtnay and I started Chattanooga Shoe Company in 2010. Here's the story.

Over the years we have learned, people really love shoes that are comfortable and stylish.

We started Chattanooga Shoe Company to take the guesswork (and hard work) out of shoe shopping by painstakingly hunting the world over for the best of the best footwear that meets our highest standards.

We know you wouldn’t accept anything less.

In the Beginning

My dad always told me, “Shoes and mattresses are important. You’ll be on at least one or the other the rest of your life.” So, since I don’t find mattresses very interesting, I went into the shoe business.

In 2001, my family moved from North Carolina to open a Birkenstock Specialty Shoe Store in Huntsville, AL. This was a time when Birkenstock made all types of shoes: sandals, clogs, boots, dress shoes...the “potato shoe” was really popular. If you know, you know.

I worked for the family business throughout college, and met the love of my life Courtnay. We bonded over our love of God, family, friends, life, business, fashion and shoes!

We were born

Only after a couple months, we dreamed of opening another store: a brand new concept in the shoe world…a store that offered styles that were just as stylish as they were comfortable.

Chattanooga Shoe Company opened in North Chattanooga in November 2010.

Then What Happened

I left the family business in 2006 to try out the corporate world but I found myself daydreaming of a different life…I longed to follow in my parents’ footsteps and own a shoe company. That chance arose in 2009 when we had an opportunity to acquire a shoe store in Chattanooga, TN.

Courtnay always said, “I’m never moving out of Huntsville…well…unless it’s to Chattanooga.” We both loved making weekend trips to Chattanooga, a city perfect for exploring. In March 2009, we moved ourselves (and 2 dogs) to Chattanooga, TN to acquire an old “sit and fit” comfort shoe store in east Chattanooga.

Today

For the past 12 years, the shoe company has continued to evolve by bringing you, not only established comfort brands, but small, limited production shoes as well. They’re sourced from around the world but some of our favorite spots include Italy, Portugal, Spain and Germany.

Entering our 13th year, we continue to push the envelope by providing even “faster” and trendier styles, but never sacrificing our comfort and quality standards.