This longstanding Twin Falls shoe store has a unique heritage

TWIN FALLS, Idaho – Businesses around the world are looking forward to the holiday shopping season putting an exclamation point on their annual sales. For local, small businesses the anticipation is even greater. This longstanding Twin Falls shoe store continues to offer specialized service and a product selection that keeps it at the top of the list for those shopping locally.

• Hudson’s Shoes was founded in 1931. The original store was on Main Avenue in Twin Falls.
• The store opened several locations, including the current one at Lynwood Mall in 1957.
• Owner Karly Trease was once an employee: She bought the store two years ago after working for Bob and Marylin Rowe for more than a decade

(Below is the transcript of the broadcast story)

“We were the only store of its kind in our area,” said Karly Trease, owner of Hudson’s Shoes.

There are only a handful of stores like Hudson’s Shoes in Twin Fall – a small, independent business that specializes in a wide range of high quality products

The store has been in this Lynwood Mall location since 1957, and Trease was preparing for the rush of holiday shopping on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.

“We want to be the one-stop shop for work shoes, athletic shoes and fashion shoes,” Trease said. “But what really sets us apart is that we do a lot of training for our employees. This allows us to properly fit shoes and help people find the right shoes, whether their feet hurt, what ailments they have, or whether they just need something specific.”

Trease was an employee and manager here for 15 years before purchasing the store two years ago.

She tells me that there is a legacy of Hudson employees becoming Hudson owners.

“Bob owned the store before me and started Hudson shoes right out of high school,” Trease said. “Bob Rowe was with Hudson’s for 57 years and spent more than 30 years as owner with his wife, Marylin. They’ve ingrained that in me, and then I can teach our staff how to measure feet and serve customers.” Help with specific problems – plantar fasciitis or neuropathy – and what shoes are good for those things.

“There are a lot of other great stores to buy shoes from, and we just hope to be the first stop and support the locals,” Trease continued. “And we still have great deals here for Black Friday and Small Business Saturday, so we just hope people stop by here first.”