ABOUT US
Teddy Shoes is a specialty dance store, family owned & operated since 1957.
1957
Teddy Shoes opens
Owner Theodore Adelson launches his business with a small amount of funds & the promise from his parents -- " You pay rent if you make money."
1978
Teddy’s son Steven Adelson joins the operation. Teddy needed help with his three stores in Watertown, Somerville and Cambridge.
1987
Steven Adelson begins to take ownership of the business.
1993
Nature of the business changes from selling closeouts and factory seconds to the beginning of our store becoming known as a dance shop. Dance giant Capezio closes two stores in Boston and Cambridge. Teddy's takes on the line and becomes a specialty dance retailer.
2000's
Many other dance brands became part of the store's offerings, such as: Bloch, Eurotard, Motionwear, Sansha, & So Danca. Major dance schools, studios and colleges become important partners for the store, including: Boston Ballet, Deborah Mason School of Dance, Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre, & Tony Williams Dance Center.
2019
The originator Teddy Adelson passes at the age of 96.
2020
COVID-19 pandemic cripples the store, and Teddy Shoes fights back to keep the store alive through launching a Go Fund Me campaign. Gaining support from the community & media coverage from CCTV, the Cambridge Chronicle, Boston Globe, WGBH and WBZ TV, Teddy Shoes perseveres through the year & manages to keep the store alive.
TODAY
We will continue to preserve the store, so we can keep serving the wonderful community we’ve been fortunate enough to have since 1957.