We have some news to share - it is with mixed emotions that we announce the closure of our retail store at 580 Johnson Street. After more than 50 amazing years of serving up a legendary selection of footwear and friendly service, we have made the tough decision to transition to an online-only model starting October 2024.
It's been quite a difficult decision as this shop is beloved not just by us, but by locals and folks who come to us from all over the world knowing they'll have an amazing experience with Baggins. Unfortunately with the changing times (rent increases, skyrocketing costs of running a brick and mortar, decreases in downtown foot traffic), we needed to make the tough call to adapt. We're not able to operate as well as we have in the past, and that's a tough reality. However, while we bid farewell to our physical space, we'll still be able to continue our operations locally, it'll just look a little different.
Moving forward, Baggins Shoes will continue to operate through alternative channels. Our online shop will be available for you to shop from the comfort of home, ensuring that you can still access our wide range of footwear & accessories. Additionally, our Custom Printshop will continue operating locally, offering up custom printed Chucks, both for individuals and corporate customers, and plan to expand our selection of custom printed garments (t-shirts, hoodies, athletic wear, tote bags, hats and beyond). We've always offered competitively priced one-off custom prints for speedy turn-around times, and that will continue as we expand our focus on bigger corporate sales. We'll be on the lookout for opportunities to get involved in the community and hope to help with some amazing custom printing projects.
Since our establishment in 1969, Baggins Shoes has been a cornerstone of the Victoria retail scene. Our store has always been a hub of vibrant, offbeat energy and community spirit, a safe space for people from all different walks of life. We've laughed, celebrated, and connected with generations of customers, and we're really proud of that. It seems like everyone has a fond memory of shopping with us over the years, remembering us from the original Market Square storefront to our first Johnson street location down the Paper Box arcade, where we had our sweet shop cat, Fraidy. We've been in our current location since 2014, where we welcomed the addition of Dr. Martens, expanded our Printshop, worked with tons of local artists, and sold hundreds of thousands of pairs of shoes.
We want to express our deepest gratitude to our loyal customers from Victoria and beyond, for your steadfast support over the years. Your loyalty and enthusiasm have been the driving force behind everything we do, and we are profoundly grateful for each and every one of you. To help us celebrate our over 50 years of retail business, we invite you to join us in the send-off with special in-store only closing sales and promotions over the next few months. We'll update you with more information on that in the coming weeks, be sure to follow along on our Instagram.
While closing our retail store marks the end of an era, it also signals a new beginning for Baggins Shoes. One day, we might open up another brick-and-mortar, but we don't have any plans to do this anytime soon. As tough as this call was, we're excited for the future of our business and have good faith that we'll be able to continue in a different capacity for 50+ more years.
To our incredible team, both current and past, we're incredibly grateful for the support and dedication each of you has shown. Each one of you have made Baggins what it is, and we can't thank you enough. If you have a story to share, please email at socialmedia@bagginsshoes.com or DM us on Instagram, we'd absolutely love to hear from you!
As we set foot into this new era, we invite you to pop in and join us in celebrating the legacy of our retail store. We plan to go out with a bang, and close this chapter in style. For more information and updates, please follow our Instagram @bagginsshoes or reach out to us directly.