First in shoes, second in cars... (St. Louis, Clayton: manufacturing, company, county)

[jtab4994]

I've been researching an American shoe company that manufactures in San Antonio, TX. There are very few shoe companies left that actually manufacture in the U.S.

That made me recall a saying from before my time, regarding St. Louis. "First in shoes, second in cars, and last in the American League". Obviously the reference to the Browns places the phrase earlier than 1954. Edit: Looking at the internet, the most common rendering of the phrase is "First in shoes, first in booze..." Not sure where I heard "second in cars", but it seemed to make sense, as the Checker Motor Co. was based in St. Louis.

Are there any shoe manufacturers left in St. Louis?

[flynavyj]

Brown Shoe Company - which is now Calares is still based in St. Louis. Not sure if the manufacturing is done here, or elsewhere, but the headquarters is in Clayton, MO...the St. Louis County seat.

[jtab4994]

Thanks for the info. So Brown Shoe is the company behind Buster Brown! Never knew that. Looks like they still operate at least a dozen brands, one of which is Allen Edmonds which makes high-end men's shoes in Wisconsin USA (and other places, according to what I see on the net).

[SnazzyB]

Originally Posted by jtab4994

I've been researching an American shoe company that manufactures in San Antonio, TX. There are very few shoe companies left that actually manufacture in the U.S.

That made me recall a saying from before my time, regarding St. Louis. "First in shoes, second in cars, and last in the American League". Obviously the reference to the Browns places the phrase earlier than 1954. Edit: Looking at the internet, the most common rendering of the phrase is "First in shoes, first in booze..." Not sure where I heard "second in cars", but it seemed to make sense, as the Checker Motor Co. was based in St. Louis.

Are there any shoe manufacturers left in St. Louis?

We also had the Ford Plant, and GM