Today we are profiling the Weinbrenner shoe company and their amazing history!  Read on...


Weinbrenner Shoe Company Celebrates 120 years of “Made in America”

MERRILL, WI, June 8, 2012—If you could walk a mile in our shoes you’d see that they follow the footprints of hard working folks who believe in making exceptional shoes and boots, right here in the USA. You’d also find a path stretching back 120 years to Water Street in Milwaukee where Albert H. Weinbrenner started making his first pair of shoes.

In 1892, 27 year-old Weinbrenner, the son of a cobbler, and his business partner opened a shop and later started manufacturing shoes. They grew to become industry leaders by using tools, techniques and methods exclusive to their production. By 1916 they were producing 20,000 pairs daily of men’s and boy’s shoes.


The Thorogood brand debuted in 1918 and thrust Weinbrenner into mass markets across the country with branches opening in major cities including New York, Chicago, Atlanta and San Francisco. The decades to follow would bring new products, new partnerships, consolidations, market opportunities and leadership transitions. Patents were developed and production supplied trends in shoes and boots for work, military, sport, casual, youth and men’s footwear. Quality and American manufacturing remained steadfast through it all.