There are few things that we love more here than a local success story. Seeing local mom-and-pop shops blossom as they enjoy great success and community support is one of the best things about living in St. Pete, and Peltz Shoes is among the finest examples out there.

Now located at 7121 22nd Avenue North in Tyrone, the locally owned and operated shoe store is a veritable footwear emporium, offering the Tampa Bay Area’s biggest selection of brand-name apparel sourced from its warehouse packed with over 450,000 pairs of shoes. Just as it was when they opened in 1957, the key to their success is the high level of customer service and their ability to find the perfect, most comfortable shoe for anyone.

It’s been more than 65 years since Peltz Shoes first opened up shop in St. Pete, a humble storefront on Central Avenue in what is now the Regions Bank parking lot next to Central Coffee. In the decades since, the family-owned shoe store has blossomed into the premier footwear provider in the region, and PeltzShoes.com has even become a go-to for people all over the country to get name brand shoes at reasonable prices.

Of course, we prefer a visit to the store, and that customer service is the biggest reason why. It is akin to the difference between ordering dinner in a drive-thru and hoping for the best, or sitting down at a restaurant with a great server who helps you find the perfect meal for you. The associates on the floor at Peltz Shoes aren’t just there to stock shelves and comb the warehouse – they are experts in the field, trained and equipped to help people find shoes that fit them and fit their needs.

In fact, all their stores in the Tampa Bay Area are equipped with 3D foot scanning technology, giving customers the most accurate idea possible of not just what size and width they need, but what kind of ankle support, sole cushion, and toe shape will fit them best. You even get the 3D scan emailed to you afterward so that you’ll always have the reference point. Anyone who has found themselves on a long walk in an ill-fitting pair of shoes can appreciate the difference that care makes.

“At Peltz, we believe that a perfect fit shouldn’t be a challenge, but a delightful experience,” the company says. “That’s why we’re here, ready to help you find the right shoe that not only fits perfectly, but also makes you feel amazing. Our fit experts are the heart and soul of our service, dedicated to ensuring that you walk out of our store with shoes that not only look great but feel like a dream.”

Get the hottest brands around at your local shoe store

Of course, one of the biggest reasons Peltz keeps people coming back is the truly gigantic selection of name-brand shoes. The store carries more than 150 different brands, totaling more than half a million pairs of shoes. That makes it easy to find the shoes you want, get the right size, make sure you like how they feel, and walk out the door – all in less than an hour. You don’t have to guess at sizes and fits online, wait for weeks, hope the color is accurate, and then finally try them on just to discover they don’t fit and need to be returned.

If there’s a brand you’ve seen people wearing or noticed online, chances are Peltz not only has it, but has it in your size. They carry far too many of the most popular brands to list them all, from Birkenstock, Brooks, and New Balance, to Skechers, Nike, ON, Clarks, Florsheim and so many more. Skechers and Toms, Hey Dude and Merrell – the list goes on.

And to be clear, when they say shoes of all brands, they also mean shoes of all varieties. There are plenty of men’s, women’s and kid’s athletic shoes, to be sure. But they also have boots, heels, loafers, sandals, and slip-ons. They even have work and safety footwear. Plus the store has an extensive collection of clothing including shirts, shorts, pants, socks, outerwear and more.

It’s that selection combined with the expert and genuinely cheerful service that makes Peltz Shoes a local star. You get all the big selection benefits of shopping online, with the convenience and ease of trying shoes on right then and there. You can wear them right out of the store, if you like.

Peltz Shoes now has two locations in Pinellas County, one in St. Pete at 7121 22nd Avenue North, and another in Clearwater at 2675 Gulf to Bay Boulevard. And if you find yourself on the other side of the Skyway, they have a trio of locations in Bradenton, Sarasota and Fort Myers. Stores are open daily from 10 am – 7 pm. Learn more and peruse their vast collection at PeltzShoes.com.