thelittleshoebox.com

Rob · 20th January 2005, 11:15

Reports from Gina and King Oliver (Gina’s husband) suggest that London custom shoe maker The Little Shoe Box may be closing down. :(

Jo was also able to provide this information in the same thread:

Quote:

Originally Posted by jo

The deal with The Little Shoe Box is that the owner wants to retire after 40-odd years running the business, and the son who has been sort-of in-charge for the last few years doesn't want to continue after that. They are looking for someone to run it, or a buyer. They plan to be open another month or so at least, but there is no definite plan after that.

Does anyone know anything else about this situation?

Maybe amongst the forum members there is someone with the fanatical backing and business sense to make a success of LSB. I do hope they find a buyer that will continue the business making quality shoes that aren't available elsewhere.

Dr. Shoe · 20th January 2005, 18:49

I could run it if someone could come up with the cash. :)

Heelson · 20th January 2005, 19:13

What do you think it would take to buy it? Probably not a whole lot of cash. If you work on 5-10x annual profits.

They're not a huge mainstream "name" (ie it's not a Jimmy Choo situation here).

On the downside, what would you be buying? They are their craftsmen. If you lose the shoemakers. then Little Shoe Box isn't much at all - apart from a reputation in a certain market niche.

It would be an interesting investment proposition, if the price was right.

Does anyone have any contact with LSB that could (a) confirm the rumour, and (b) get a ballpark figure for buying the business ???

jo · 20th January 2005, 21:33

>> Does anyone have any contact with LSB that could (a) confirm the rumour <<

My original post, the one that you quoted, was a result of using that 19th century device called the telephone :-) on Tuesday morning.

Heelson · 21st January 2005, 11:01

I just did a google on "telephone" ... it doesn't come up with much

:rofl:

Buying your own shoe factory ... now there's a thought ... I'll be thinking about that one for a while I think

PJ · 21st January 2005, 16:21

The potential success to purchasing any existing business is directly related to it's clientele database. Before making offers, find out how many customers they have. This includes both regular stock shoe and custom shoe customers. Also, you will need access to at least one craftsman to support your custom shoe customers.

Skirted-UK · 21st January 2005, 21:33

If you have not got the original craftmen, its not going to be the LSB and there will not be much point in buying it. :(

Dr. Shoe · 21st January 2005, 21:56

I think that you'll find that it's only the owner that's retiring not the rest of the staff.

The LSB is more than just one person, they are probably one of the most famous fetish shoe makers on the planet.

Bubba136 · 22nd January 2005, 03:24

Hey, since there is a lot of discussion about the situation surrounding LSB, why doesn't someone living in the London area drop by the store and find out first hand what's going on?

highheellover · 22nd January 2005, 06:31

good point bubba.