Mon Oct 8 2018 02:31 PM  by Joanne Fortino

I worked for Butlers Shoes in Philadelphia from 1978 through 1983. It was my first "real" job. I worked part-time all through college, and I loved working there. I was also the bookkeeper for the two biggest Philadelphia stores. The company was always very fair and accommodating to my school schedule. I learned quite a lot about business working at Butlers!

 Wed Aug 15 2018 02:31 PM  by Jim Allen

Worked for Butlers from 1971 to 1982 in Jackson Tn, Pine Buff Ar, Memphis Tn, shreveport Louisiana and Southern California. Steve Ellis, Freddy Joseph, John Miller

 Tue Jul 4 2017 12:35 PM  by DEWAYNE PITTMAN

I started my Butler's Shoes Career in downtown Savannah, Ga. My Manager was William Singleton, cashier was the lovely Della Brown. I was a young cocky, scrappy young Savannah State/Armstong State College man with nothing but ambition to be the "Best" there was to be for Butler's Shoes. At the time, Ken Pittman (No Relation) was our District Manager. I finished my Manager Trainee Program and got my first store in the Tallahassee Mall, Tallahassee, Fl. I was so good there (double the sales 2 years straight) they move me to Selma Mall in Selma, Ala. I also double the Sales there in 2 years. Then Finally, I got my just Reward. They Rebuilt the Bulter's Shoes Store in the Greenbriar Mall, Atlanta, Ga and gave it to me to manage. The first 7 Months, my Sales were THROUGH THE ROOF!!! Then Finally, (after being with the company for 5 years 1981- 1986) the Cooporation wanted to meet me. It was 2 surprises discovered that day. One..Butler's Shoes discovered...I was a BLACK MAN. And two.. I found out that the only reason I had been Promoted to all of those different Stores, was NOT because I was great at what I was doing.... But for all of those years, from start to finish, they actually thought that my initial District Manager (Mr. Ken Pittman a white man) was my RELATIVE. Just like, at the time, Juan Watts (then the President of Butler's Shoes) Son was Jr. Watts was a Manager of a Store in Cumberland Mall in Atlanta, and I was "Blowing his Doors Off" in Sales. After that discovery, EVERYTHING went to Hell. Inventory came up missing, Sales were not counted or calculated properly. The Brand New "Porta-Verta" start acting up constantly. Nightly Deposites was dissappearing and reappearing after "Loss Prevention" had to get involved. As much as I Loved The Shoe Sales business back then and even though it was the 80s, there was STILL PREJUDICE in that company for NO REASON. Believe Me, I was NOT the only Black Manager that experience the PREJUDICE STING of BUTLER'S SHOES COOPERATION.

 Mon Jun 5 2017 07:54 AM  by Drake R. Sworn

What a great experience! Pompano Beach Fashion Square with "Blackie" as manager and Dottie behind the counter. Henry Smith, Tom Stone, Joe Latino. Reunion time??

 Thu Dec 29 2016 10:23 AM  by Terry Marshall

What a great company to work for back in the day. I started my time with Butler's in 1971 as salesman in Clarksville, TN. Moved to Memphis and worked downtown for Marshall Hutton until the Raleigh Springs store opened in 1972 and I became Manager at 19. I managed stores in Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, and New Orleans until 1979. I had the privilege to work with Talmedge DeRamus, Aubrey Shatzman,Billy Parrish, and Dave Faircloth to name a few.

 Mon Jun 13 2016 01:48 PM  by Charlie Stein

I worked for Butler's and Ansonia in the Baltimore area from 1981-1984. I trained in Downtown Baltimore, Golden Ring, and White Marsh. I helped open the Butler's in Hunt Valley and was the store manager there. I helped open the Ansonia in Columbia Mall and managed that store until I left the company in 1984. I learned a lot about managing a business and managing people from some really great store managers and a terrific DM, Tom Giles.Good times...

 Tue Dec 15 2015 02:54 PM  by Chuck Kirkpatrick

I worked as a Store Manager for Butlers from 1976 to 1984 in Georgia, Ohio, Louisiana, and California. Last sore was Malings 566 in West Covina Calif. I trained a lady named Robin Mayer who later became the first lady District Manager in the chain. She married and I don't know her married name.I would love to find her.

 Thu Oct 8 2015 10:20 PM  by irvin h levine

looking for marvin walburg worked in miami beackl959/1960..his uncle was distric manager max beach was manager season time help

 Sun Oct 4 2015 12:42 PM  by Larry

I started out in Crosscheck Mall, Fayetteville, NC, in 1980. Store manager was Walter McCaskill. He was a really great guy. He and JR Freeman started in the company at the same time in Fayetteville. We had a Hot Feet store across the aisle from us where Loretta Freeman (JR's wife) worked. Walter trained a lot of managers before and after me. Hal Levine, Frank Fowler, Michael Forrester, James Pender. Our DM's were Harvey Clark, then Bill Williams. JR was the regional manager. Since JR lived in Fayetteville, we saw him weekly. He and Walter were good friends. I got my first store in Chapel Hill, NC. Bill was my DM. While in Chapel Hill, I had visits from Jaun Watts. My second month in Chapel Hill, I received calls from JR and Jaun because I had the largest weekly increase in the country. We closed the store in Chapel Hill when the lease ran out. I worked with David Hedrick in Durham while waiting for them to find me a store. JR called one morning and offered me the store in Athens, GA. I was glad to get back to GA. Tim Watts was the DM and Ray Burroughs was the RM. I had auditors along the way: Jack Denton, Ken Forman. I left for other ventures in 1984. I wonder where some of these folks are now.

 Sat Aug 15 2015 02:49 PM  by Steve Kirk

The ultimate  shoe store working experience. Dave Newel, Bob Schneckenberger, Sally Walker, Irene Sanders,   Laura Langsdale  and Chuck Berringer! Y'all are the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Sun May 10 2015 12:32 AM  by Ric Etheridge

My father & brother worked for Butler Shoe Corp in several states across the country. It was a huge part of our lives. My father was a regional and with Butlers for over 30 years, my brother Gene was a merchandiser in the Atl office. I ran stores in Southern California. I recognize several names in these posts and hope these people are doing well.

 Thu Jan 29 2015 01:04 PM  by Jeffrey Lewis Knapp

2 years ago Allen Greenfield proposed a Butler Veterans Site so here it is. Free posting of your comments and wonderful memories. http://www.pbase.com/orangecones/butlersveteransite

 Sun Jan 25 2015 04:14 PM  by John DuBois

I worked at Foleys dept.store ,we had a Butlers shoe store in the mall there,and I was approached by a rep from Butlers that wanted me to come work for them.I passed on the offer,because of school schedule.I remember Butlers as being a really great shoe store,and was flattered that they asked me to consider joining them.The reason I came to this site was because I am looking for a shoe and did a search for Butlers,I did not realize they were closed.

 Mon Jul 21 2014 08:50 PM  by Don Thompson

Butler Shoes downtown Daytona Beach 1950"s  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10204129153890127&set=gm.666259033466377&type=1&theater

 Tue May 13 2014 04:20 PM  by Allen Greenfield

I have migrated this to a Butler's-Marilyn Blog on my wordpress site - http://allengreenfield.wordpress.com/2014/05/10/the-marilyn-and-butler-shoe-site-add-your-memories/

 Tue Sep 24 2013 04:27 PM  by Ted Thomason

I worked for Butler Shoe Corporation in Phoenix, AZ from 1977 to 1987. It was originally Ansonia Shoes then switched to Butlers. I then went to work for Hot Feet and then a Malings in California. My District Manager was Armando Angulo. He was a great guy.

 Tue Aug 20 2013 07:27 PM  by Ray Glass

Started in 1973 with Butlers while in HIGH school in Valdosta Ga. I remember Jim Talent as DM I think. Then moved to Macon Ga worked under Tim Isaacs then Lynn Kilpatrick.Frank Hicks was DM and Ray Boroughs Regional. Later took a store in Johnson City TN DM was Harvey Clark. Later he moved me to Ashville NC then to Anderson SC. Changed DM to Kim Pittman. Few years later Juan Watts and Boroughs calls me at home to go to Hollywood FL. Tom Stone was DM. Eventually transferred back to Macon where Butler began to change. Evander Pender had become an auditor. Tim Watts my DM. Moved to Carolina again as DM. Met many great people--Dan Gourley Mark Thomas JR Freeman Aubrey Shatzman Don Lastinger Paul Barbarisi Ken Forman and many many others. Butler's was a great company and knew how to give excellent customer service. Great training.

 Wed Aug 7 2013 04:06 PM  by Mark Thomas

My first job was with Butlers starting in 1972 at 15 years old in Greenville SC. 1st mgr was Bill Payne, then one of the finest in the business, Warren "Red" Christian. He passed away just a few months ago. Continued in the business with Rack Room Shoes. A 30 plus year career in shoes. Dan Gourley, old buddy, I see your name on this site. Some other great friends I remember are, Harvey Clark, JR Freeman, Evander Pender, Ray Burroughs, Juan Watts, Charlie Hudson, joe Shapiro, many others. Great times and memories. Should have a Butlers reunion one day. I can be reached at mathomas504@cs.com

 Thu Jun 20 2013 11:14 PM  by irvin levine

i started to wk for butlers as a saturday extra/marty mittleman was mgr charlie hudson dist mgr i helped open store in later years charlestonsc-gastonia nc-jacksonville fla worked many seasons in miami beach-hollywood-ft laudrdale atlanta-ga clarence furer-perry smolen buddy chatham-max beach russ certo richard knuckles walter randolph-these men were some of the best shoe men i ever worked for.winsto salem nc charlote nc you cannot replace these men they new how to sell shoes evena 7/1/2 i hope all is well with x butlers employees grear memories

 Fri Apr 26 2013 02:46 AM  by The Coeus

Nice click. Perfect view of the store.

 Mon Mar 25 2013 05:46 PM  by Mike Weiford

Started with Butler Shoes in 1984 at Merritt Square Mall in Merritt Island, FL. Transferred to Hollywood Fashion Center in 1986, Broward Mall 1989, Pembroke Lakes Mall 1992, and finally Boynton Beach in '96. Met some truly wonderful people along the way: Ray Burroughs, Jim Talent, Aubrey Shautzman, Tommy Stone, Dan Gourley, and Rick Anderson. Some of the greatest times of my life were spent at Butlers. The comical changes when they tried to divide the company into 4 separate divisions in the late 80's (Dolcis, Tip Toe, Ansonia, etc.) have never dampened my love for this once great shoe giant! Hey guys! Keep that "findings" % up! I also wanted to say that Mr. David Bissland was one of the greatest shoe salespersons I ever saw!

 Sun Jan 27 2013 03:26 PM  by TOWARDS THE LAST DAYS OF BUTLERS

[Thanks to Steve Rowland for this. I recall fondly the happier days, pretty much all my early life till I was 24.] February 1988 articles Footwear News Sears PLC chief hedges on possible Butler sale. (Butler Shoe Corp.) Footwear News | February 22, 1988 | Fallon, James; Tahmincioglu, Eve | Copyright Sears PLC chief hedges on possible Butler sale Responding to a report that Sears PLC plans to sell its Atlanta-based Butler Shoe Corp. and that store closures are imminent, Geoffrey Maitland Smith, chairman of Sears PLC, said, "There are plans afoot to do certain things, which we are investigating. "Closures are one of the possibilities open to us. We also have toyed with the idea of a management buyout. What I'm saying is that there are all sorts of things that could be in play." "There is no third party involved," he added, in reference to a report that New York-based investment bank Shearson Lehman Hutton has been involved in the effort. "Something happens there from time to time. I always say I'm a good listener." Lynn Kelly, president of Butler, confirmed that closures were definite, but in regard to the sale of Butler, he said, "That's news to me. I'd be alarmed to find that out. There are a tremendous amount of rumors. "As far as closing stores (goes), there is no question of negotiations (to close) unprofitable (locations). Some of the stores are very unprofitable, and others are profitable. I don't know of a retailer that isn't looking to close unprofitable stores. Normally, we close 20 stores because of leases coming up. "We have targeted 30 unprofitable stores to close over a 24-month period and replace those with at least that many in shopping centers where we don't have a good penetration." When asked about reports from a source close to Butler that the company had suffered a 1987 loss of $20 million, Kelly said, "That's not accurate," though he added that the company went through a restructuring and that it "had a difficult year." As for '87 sales, Kelly said, "There was a downturn in total sales in the fourth quarter, but the end-of-the-year figures were marginally ahead of last year." He added that business in January and February was "slightly ahead." p.s. Someone want to start a "Bultlers Veteran Site"? Allen Greenfield

 Thu Jan 10 2013 12:44 AM  by Tim Isaac

What a pleasure it is, reading everyone's posts, and seeing that some of you worked for the same men I did, and had similar fond memories.    I think the idea of a Butler's and etc. vetran's site is great.

 Thu Dec 13 2012 12:52 AM  by Mark

After working with them for about 3 years they had a big change new president, they changed all the Mailing shoe names to Tip Toe, I left there in 89 I think about a year after that they started closing the stores

 Sat Dec 1 2012 10:19 AM  by Steve Rowland

http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-6369427/sears-plc-chief-hedges.html

 Sat Dec 1 2012 09:37 AM  by Steve Rowland

I had an urge to Google: 'Butler Shoe Corporation', a moment ago, and this link came up on top. I worked in the Atlanta, GA, Butler corporate offices, starting at the Brookwood office, beginning as a designer/draftsman in 1976 and ended as the Manager of Store Planning and Construction in 1986, at the Terrell Mill office. I had some class bosses in Mickey Bjork, who I am still in contact with, and who is truly a class guy, and Howard Morgan, Bruce Feuer, and others, as well as Joe Shapiro. We designed, built, and remodeled the stores in conjunction with the Dallas, TX office of Zales. Upwards of 1500 stores were built or remodeled in that span of time. I left to go into my own Design/Construction business. Very pleasant memories or those people and times.

 Thu Nov 29 2012 11:05 PM  by bill drummond

worked for butlers shoes from 1960 till 1978 managed stores in savannah ga, bradenton fl, bham al , opelika al, and was auditor for about two years west coast , my first dm was joe shapiro, later worked for frank hicks ,toby storey. ray bourrougs ,t.tyler and a host of shoe dogs,,, now live in dallas,tx

 Fri Jun 8 2012 12:54 PM  by richard jump

i worked at butlers in 1973 at lauderhill mall in ft lauderdale fl. i remember everyone made it fun, one of my coworkers charles carter was great. his brother played football for the denver broncos, rubin carter. i was 17 years old and made pretty good money. i got married and bought the ring at zales in 74 awesome memories there.

 Thu Jan 19 2012 06:39 PM  by Tim Isaac

I just wanted add that I remembered the name of my last DM ... Frank Hicks. He was one hell of a nice guy, a gentleman, and an inspiration.

 Wed Jan 11 2012 12:23 AM  by Don Thompson

I worked with many wonderful people for almost 25 years.  I have a lot of great memories.  I started in Daytona Beach in the 70's and ended up in CA before the company changed it name Butler Group.  They changed all the stores to either Sam & Libby or Jones New York.  During the second liquidation I left the company.  They sold the remaining stores to Bakers/Leeds around 2000

 Sun Nov 6 2011 08:55 PM  by Sharon

I just found this newpaper article on the internet from 1936. http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1964&dat=19361120&id=A_0sAAAAIBAJ&sjid=m7YFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1029,1672660

 Sat Nov 5 2011 11:45 AM  by Leah Shapiro Klein

My father, Israel David Shapiro was president of Butler Shoe Corp. and then he was the Chairman of the Board when my brother, Joe Shapiro took over as President. Butler's was the second largest Women and Children shoe chain in the country that did not manufacture their own shoes. They ended up with over 847 stores when my brother resigned to persue other interests.

 Mon Jul 25 2011 12:36 AM  by Don McGinnis

I was Southeastern Regional District Mgr. for Butlers Shoes Discount Division. It was in the 60s and 70s.that Butlers began leasing the shoe depts. of the big discount stores that were opening. It was a new era of shopping and Butlers was in on the ground floor. K-Mart was one of Butlers large accts. I enjoyed working for Butlers and my managers were the best. Hope some of you guys read this, it would be great to hear from you. Don

 Tue Apr 27 2010 02:28 PM  by shahqueen

Butlers was one store that was very affordable and you could always find shoes that were different (style) from all the rest and pay less.Thanks Butlers for all that you've done.Now is there any store any where today?

 Wed Mar 17 2010 03:46 PM  by Susan B

How many weekends before Easter did my mother drag my sister and me to Butler's Shoes for Easter shoes? We'd start at Belks on the lower end of Main Street, walk all the way up to the Fox or Carolina Theater, have lunch at either Tanner's Big Orange or Pete's, and all the way back down and when we were through, we each had new shoes, socks, dresses, purses, gloves and hats. I'm 55 and my sister is 57. Those were gentler, happier times. We just didn't know it. . .