About Us

Located near West Bay in downtown Traverse City, Michigan, Golden Shoes is proud to be a thriving retail store in one of the most beautiful downtown shopping districts in the country. Known for our superior customer service and experienced sales staff, we offer a carefully curated selection of mens and womens footwear and accessories to meet your every need.


Golden Shoes has been a family-owned business since 1883, when it was originally founded by the Fredrich family under the name Fredrichs Shoes. In 1954, Nathaniel and Willard Golden (father and son) purchased the business, renaming it Golden-Fredrichs Shoes. The store continued to flourish, and in 1968, the family officially rebranded it as Golden Shoes. Over the years, multiple generations of the Golden family have been involved in the daily operations, ensuring the stores continued success.


After Nathaniels passing in 1969, Willard took full ownership and ran the store with the help of his eldest children and a dedicated team of employees. That same year, his son Craig became a partner, working alongside Willard until his retirement in 1972. A few years later, Willards youngest son, Bill, joined Craig in managing the business.


Following Willards passing in 2012, Craig and Bill became co-owners of Golden Shoes. Together, they played a vital role in expanding the business and contributing to the growth of downtown Traverse City.


In 2023, after 54 years of dedication to Golden Shoes, Craig retired. Fortunately, another family member, Nate Cook (husband of Craigs niece), stepped in to carry on the tradition. Today, Nate and Bill co-own Golden Shoes, continuing the legacy of exceptional service and quality footwear for customers in Traverse City and beyond.