Shoe Zoo Is Closing For Good - Say Goodbye To "The Zoo Keeper" And Buy Some Discounted Quality Shoes

Shoe Zoo Owner Bruce Stern and Store Manager  Susan

After almost closing his childrens shoe store last March then staying open another year, Bruce Stern, the owner of The Shoe Zoo, located behind the University Village, (2920 NE Blakely Street),  has now decided to close his store for good due to a major decrease in sales and inablitiy to keep up with his paying his invoices, with some days only one shopper in the store.

The Shoe Zoo has been a beloved, popular store for families for almost 24 years. Bruce, the owner, first started selling shoes  at Jay Jacobs, then at Frederick Nelson. Then Bruce followed in his father, Gil Stern's footsteps, who once owned a shoe store in the University Village for many years, and was constantly told about the need for a children's shoe store in the University Village, and opened his own shoe store there in 1988 called The Shoe Zoo.

Bruce told us that the store was immediately recognized as the northwest's best children's shoe store. The Shoe Zoo gradually downsized over the years, from three stores in the 1990's including Issaquah, and Redmond Town Center. 

Bruce said all the stores had very loyal customers, "but now like Seattle just not enough of them. "

Another long time fixture in the store has been Suan, the store manager, who has worked there for 15 years and Bruce said is "as loyal as can be, and will truly be missed."

Bruce said last year at this time when he was about to close:

Thank you so much for your interest in my store. It truly makes me feel blessed that over the last 23 years we made a difference to a lot of families. I feel that this is a very special area of Seattle, not only because I grew up here, but because the people in this community truly believe in family values.

But more importantly, its the thousands of families I have personally waited on over the years that has made me love this store so much. Watching a baby getting his first pair of shoes grow till I sadly have to say............I am sorry buddy, I can't fit you anymore, your too big. And then to have him bring in his child to let me fit them in there first pair of shoes. I'm tearing up right now, wow. 

Closing the store has been was a very tough decision. Honestly, the last two years have been a struggle. I tried to be more careful about over spending on merchandise. I always wanted to not only give the best service, but always have the best selection as well. Business has dropped over the last two years to the point that I can't be business as usual. I can't keep up with my invoices.

Currently all shoes in the store are 20% off, and quite a number of shoes are 30% off.

Bruce urges families to come in and buy shoes, not only because of the great selection, quality and value, but also he has many many bills to pay.   And everything in the store is for sale, including the furniture, toys, movies, equipment and more.

The store should be open through the end of March, when his lease is up. Store hours are Monday through Saturday 10-6pm and Sunday 12-5pm.

Bruce wrote Friday afternoon to his customers: 

Well, I certainly hoped I wouldn't have to write this letter, but I must. I was optimistic when we gave it one more try last year. I thought maybe we could survive with everyone knowing how tough of a time we were having. I am afraid to say it was a mistake. I just prolonged the inevitable. I couldn't have imagined it getting so much worse, but it did.

I want to thank you for your support, not only during this last year, but for the past 24 years as well. It's been very special watching your kids grow up over the years, from fitting your children with their first pair of shoes, then, in a blink of an eye, outgrowing our store. I felt a little bit more special than just your average retail store owner, maybe because you treated me that way. And for that, a heartfelt thank you.

Now, I don't want to get into too much detail, but after the going-out-of-business sale last year, I had to re-stock the entire store. Let's just say, The Zoo Keeper really needs your help. I have to try and pay for all of these shoes. So please come in and take advantage of some great savings on your shoe and boot purchases.

Starting today, everything in the store will be 20% off. Everything must go, so if you see something that isn't marked, please make an offer. I will be selling stockroom shelves, which are perfect for your garage, classic children's movies, stuffed animals, pictures, equipment, tools, benches, and much more..

Over the next few months, I will be sending out email notifications with updates and such.

I really hope to see you, it would mean so much to me.

 

Children's "Shoe Zoo" Store Continuing Special Grand Re-Opening Sale This Week-end

Shoe Zoo Owner Bruce Stern and Store Manager Susan

Bruce Stern, owner of the Shoe Zoo (2920 NE Blakely Street) behind University Village, let us know that the Grand
Re-Opening Sale is continuing at the popular children's shoe store this week-end.

He writes to us:

It's Laurelhurst weekend, we are giving away activity books and some other items with your purchases. Also balloons and a special appearance by Simba from the Lion King. You will also be able to enter our drawings for gift certificates and free shoes. It will be a lot of fun for everyone, so I hope to see all of you here.

The Shoe Zoo, almost went out of business in March after 23 years, due to the economy.

But after holding a successful "Going out of Business sale," and many loyal customers expressing sadness with the potential closing of the store, Bruce decided to give it another try and stay in business with a smaller inventory, and ongoing deals as well as lower prices.

Here is more information on The Shoe Zoo and their Facebook  page.

Shoe Zoo Not Going Out Of Business But Staying Open

Last month we posted that the popular children's shoe store, The Shoe Zoo, located behind the University Village, (2920 NE Blakely Street), was going out of business after 23 years, and was scheduled to close in just a few weeks.

Word has been going around lately that the owner, Bruce Stern, has decided to stay open and give it another try. Good news for the many families that shop at the store.

Here is a letter Bruce sent out last night:

Hi Everyone,



I am really happy to write to you, in fact, I am smiling ear to ear. Needless to say, I have heard hundreds of my dearest customers express their sadness about the closing of one of their favorite stores. Trust me, it has been terribly sad for me too.

So, after weeks of sleepless nights, I've come to realize that The Shoe Zoo can and will survive.

We are going to change its format to fit our trying times. The Shoe Zoo is now going to be a store that you can always go to for really great deals on children's shoes. We will always have sale racks, with ever changing name brand shoes, marked at least 25% off, plus some of your favorite brands always marked less than anywhere else around.

The lowest prices always. Sounds great doesn't it?

New shoes are on the way so I really need some help. Please spread the word, far and wide, that we are going to give it another shot.

The wonderful neighborhood blogs did such a great job of letting my customers know we were leaving, that I'm scared they won't be back. If I didn't have such great customers I probably would not be making this decision. Listening to you express your feelings about my store has made a lasting impression on me. Regardless of how this all works out, I will never forget!

Everyone knows me, and knows that I am honest and open about things, so if there are any questions, about anything, I would be happy to answer them.

So in trying to keep this letter short and sweet, I will close by simply saying "WOOOOHOOOO!"

Thank you so much,
Bruce "The ZOO KEEPER"

Popular Shoe Zoo Store Closing After 23 Years In The Community

Shoe Zoo Owner Bruce Stern and Store Manager  Susan

In an email titled  "Sad News From the Shoe Zoo, The Shoe Zoo, located near the University Village (2920 NE Blakely), Bruce Stern, the owner, announced they are closing after over twenty years serving loyal fans.

The store has many customers in Laurehurst, including patients at Children's Hospital, and customers from nearby communities and throughout the city. So the closing of this store was surprising to so many as it will have an impact on  numerous families who have shopped there over so many many years. And it's so unfortunate to have yet another independent business close up shop.

Monday's email said:
Well, it is with a very heavy heart, that after 23 years of taking care of the best customers I could ask for, I must announce, that starting today, we will begin our last sale ever – our going out of business sale. This was a very tough decision to make, but one that had to be made. I must sell everything in the store (including all the fixtures, toyes, etc. ) Hopefully, you can help me get the word out. If this store has made a difference for your families over the years, please come in and pick up a few pair of shoes.

This week a reader was in the store and told us that every person that walked in was shocked and saddened by the  news. Even a little girl said to the owner "I am sad you are closing, because you were the only shoe store we went to. Maybe you can keep it open." The owner gave her a big hug and said there had been many tears shed in the store this week and there will be many more.

Bruce and his long time Store Manager, Susan, said they don't know what they will do next and both will be looking for jobs. They said "So if you have any ideas...." He even tossed out the idea that maybe someone would buy the store and he could continue working there.

Some comments on the NE Seattle Moms Yahoo Group, in response to the email, said "It is the only place I have ever bought shoes for my boys. And my boys LOVE going there" and "Oh no!! We LOVE the shoe zoo! They are so very nice there!"

The personalized care, patience and enthusiasm Bruce and his staff took with each and every baby and child that came into the store was rare.  He treated each with respect and importance as babies tried on their very first shoe ever, to seasoned kids who took their moms or dads to their favorite shoes in the store to ask to try them on.

Bruce was heard telling a customer this week "I have fit kids from babies up until I had to tell the child I couldn't help them anymore, as they had finally outgrown my sizes."

One of our readers said their family had bought their shoes there starting when there kids were babies and were so impressed with the staff's exceptional customer service and extensive knowledge of children's shoes and what worked well for each individual child.

Bruce said that sales had been dropping, especially last month, so he made the unfortunate decision to go out of business. Currently there is a 30% off sale and the discount will continue to drop as time goes on, until he will most likely donate the remaining shoes.

The store should be open through the end of March, and Bruce urges families to come in and buy shoes. One woman walked out with 3 pairs of shoes, socks and a bag full of toys, that were a staple in the store for kids to play with.

We asked Bruce to tell us about his business and connection to the communities and families he has served for so long.

He recounts a fascinating story dating back to when his father had a shoe store in the University Village, followed by Bruce working at Frederick Nelson then following in his father's footseps and starting his own shoe store.

Here is Bruce's email to our staff: 

Thank you so much for your interest in my store. It truly makes me feel blessed that over the last 23 years we made a difference to a lot of families. I feel that this is a very special area of Seattle, not only because I grew up here, but because the people in this community truly believe in family values.

I graduated from Nathan Hale high school in 1976 and started working at Jay Jacobs in the shoe department. within 5 years I was the regional Mgr. overseeing stores from Tacoma to Bellingham. I left there and went to work for Frederick and Nelson and before I new it, I had been in the shoe business for a dozen years or so. My father Gil Stern, who I am sorry to say just passed away, had a shoe store in University Village for many years called Gil Stern Shoes. My father was constantly told about the need for children's shoes in U Village.

 In 1988 I started The Shoe Zoo. The store was immediately recognized as the northwest's best children's shoe store. The honor has been ours for almost the last quarter century. We have been the GO TO store according to Children's Hospital and most of the local podiatrist's in our area.

But more importantly, its the thousands of families I have personally waited on over the years that has made me love this store so much. Watching a baby getting his first pair of shoes grow till I sadly have to say............I am sorry buddy, I can't fit you anymore, your too big. And then to have him bring in his child to let me fit them in there first pair of shoes. I'm tearing up right now, wow.

The Shoe Zoo has downsized over the years, in the 90's there were three stores, Issaquah, and Redmond Town Center are both only a memory now. They both had very loyal customers, but now like Seattle just not enough of them. I have been blessed over the years to have had an incredible staff of employees.

Susan my Manager of 15 years is as loyal as can be, and will truly be missed. There have been so many wonderful employees over the years and all of them truly cared about the well being of the kids. Our rule was not to pay commission on selling a pair of shoes. No fit would be jeopardized for a buck or two. Our rule was if the shoe doesn't fit we won't sell it.

I am also proud of the shoe recycling program we are involved in, I think we have made an impact in a way. We take old shoes from customers and they are ground up and used in the making of sport fields and other things. Much more environment friendly, then disposing them in land fills.

Closing the store has been was a very tough decision. Honestly, the last two years have been a struggle. I tried to be more careful about over spending on merchandise. I always wanted to not only give the best service, but always have the best selection as well.

There are many reasons why business is not what it was. Changing of buying habits with our customers, in many different ways, has made this decision for me.

Business has dropped over the last two years to the point that I can't be business as usual. I can't keep up with my invoices. I only know one way of doing business, and my customers are smart, they would notice the difference if I change my store to the degree I would have to, to survive these incredibly tough times.

Customers are saddened by the news, some have even cried a little. Many have asked what it would take to make you stay. The only thing I can think of is a winning lotto ticket. That way I could pay for last years back to school shoes. They have also asked what will I do for work.

I have only been able to respond with.....something involving customer service, that's all I know. Anyone got any Ideas? I wish someone would buy the store, I believe with some restructuring it could once again be successful. Right now everything in the store is 30% off and as time goes on the discount will grow until I am practically giving the shoes away.

Then, when I get to the point that I can donate the remaining shoes, I will put up my closed sign for good.