In the changing landscape of Needham businesses, Michelson’s Shoes on Great Plain Avenue is the only remaining full-service source of footwear in town.
Owned by brothers Jerry and Eric Michelson, whose great-grandfather began the business in 1919 as a shoe- and harness-repair service, the store focuses on personal service, according to Jerry Michelson. “We serve everyone from children taking their first steps to seniors,” he said.
With more than half of all the shoes in this country now made in China, Jerry Michelson has been trying not to react to the many changes of direction that have characterized President Trump’s tariff policies.
Michelson estimates that slightly less than half of his stock of footwear comes from China, but 99% were made overseas. He said even shoes that are assembled in the U.S. depend on parts from overseas.
The Trump administration has placed a 145% tariff on goods coming from China and a 10% tariff on all other countries including Vietnam, another major shoe exporter.
Although rising freight and employee costs have already impacted prices, the added inflationary pressures of the tariffs have yet to be felt. “We’re guessing that we may feel it for some product this summer and definitely in the fall,” he said.
“If the tariffs go forward as they are slated to, the costs will be transferred to consumers. We can’t eat it. Our manufacturers can’t eat it,” he said. “It’s too volatile to guess. We’re in a marathon here.” And as every runner knows, it’s vital to have the right footwear for a marathon.
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