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When Avon, Ohio was primarily a farming community in the late 1940s, Joseph Forthofer and his son Julian "Foot" founded Avon Hardware to supply the needs of the local residents. They carried most everything their customers needed, including seeds, fertilizer, farm implements, nails, glass, trapping and hunting supplies, and Maytag ringer-washing machines. As the years passed, they diversified into sporting goods, adding departments dedicated to archery and fishing and a full-time gunsmith. Avon Hardware became known as Avon Gun & Tack Shop and grew to become one of the largest sporting goods, horse equipment, hunting, fishing, and rifling stores in the State of Ohio.
Joseph's grandson, Dan Forthofer, along with his wife, Ann Zinni Forthofer, opened Avon Boot Shop in Middleburg Heights in 1984, where they specialized in western boots and clothing, jeans, jewelry, and moccasins. Their business also continued to expand, moving first to larger quarters in North Olmsted, and then back home to Avon, Ohio in November 2001. We met with Dan, Ann, and Manager Lisa Matuszak recently, and listened as they described their company's offerings;
Avon Boot Shop is one of the area's largest suppliers of work, western, and biker boots. Our 4,000 square foot shop carries an outstanding selection of boots at everyday low prices, as well as clothing and accessories, including biker leathers, chaps, vests, and jewelry items. We carry safety and soft toe work boots, and are under contract with many companies to supply their employees with quality work footwear.
Our western department is stocked with boots ranging from regular cowhide to fashion and exotic boot in crocodile, eel, lizard, ostrich, stingray, and snake hides from leading designers such as Tony Llama, Abilene, Justin, and Dan Post. We carry Minnetonka moccasins, and a wide assortment of western hats from all the prominent makers, such as Stetson, Resistol, Renegade, Scala, and Bailey. We are one of the largest Harley Davidson footwear dealers in the area, and also stock leathers, vests, chaps, gloves, tool-pouches, saddlebags, and rain gear for bikers.
In our work footwear department, we have over one hundred styles from top labels such as Red Wing, Rocky, Georgia Boots, and Carolina. We have steel safety toe boots and shoes, rubber boots, soft toe, waterproof, and insulated footwear. Many companies set up accounts with us so we can supply their employees with the specialized footwear they require.
Our major focus has always been on superior Customer service and product quality. We are proud to carry a wider selection of top quality footwear products than anyone in the Greater Cleveland area, and our staff members strive to provide each customer with the care and attention they deserve. In addition to having over twenty years' experience ourselves, Lisa grew up working in Dad's store, Laurel and Colleen have been with us for fifteen years, Cheryl and Jeannie have been here ten years, and our newest employee, Gail, has already worked here for three years. We take the time to ensure each customer finds the size and style they want, and if we do not have their selection in stock, we will special order it for them.
We are a local family that has lived in the Avon community all of our lives, and we feel that it is important for us to reinvest back into the community. We support many local activities, including the Bloodmobile, Camp Phoenix's Children's Burn Survival Group, and local Poker Runs for charity.
Avon Boot Shop has grown to be one of the area's largest suppliers of work, western, and biker boots. Call or stop by Avon Boot Shop today, and don't forget to tell them Avon Business & Living sent you!
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