Est. 1906
About Roderer Shoe Center
Family owned and operated since 1906
Our Story
A Century of Family, Craft, and Community
Roderer Shoe Center has been a trusted name in Dayton footwear for over a century. Our story begins with George Roderer Sr., who immigrated from the foothills of the Alps in Germany and turned his shoemaking skills into a thriving Dayton business. Over five generations, the Roderer family has continued this passion for shoes, combining craftsmanship with a personal touch that keeps our customers coming back. Know that when you shop with us, you're supporting a locally owned, family-run business and helping us continue our century-long passion for quality footwear.
Our Mission
The Shoe Is Only as Good as the Fit
You can buy shoes anywhere, but when you shop with us, you can expect more than brand selection. With us, you get expertise, experience, and genuine care. Our pedorthically trained staff ensure every pair fits perfectly, whether your feet are narrow, wide, or anywhere in between. We aim to help every customer, whether you need relief from foot pain, guidance on your gait, or simply a comfortable, stylish shoe for everyday life.
"The shoe is only as good as the fit."
What We Believe
Shoes That Fit Your Lifestyle
The shoes you wear affect your comfort, health, and daily life. That's why we focus on finding shoes that fit your unique feet while supporting your lifestyle. From walking, running, and work shoes to children's first walkers, every pair we provide is designed for comfort, support, and style.
How We Work
Old-School Values, Modern Comfort
Our secret to success is simple: old-school values, personalized service, and a love for what we do. Every customer receives a sit-and-fit experience, guided by knowledgeable staff who take the time to match shoes to your feet. We focus on quality brands, trusted over generations, including New Balance, Hoka, Stride Rite, Birkenstock, and more.
The Family
Continuing a Family Legacy
Today, Chris and Emily Roderer carry on the family tradition at Roderer Shoe Center, serving the Dayton community with the same care and dedication that has defined our family business for over 100 years. We take pride in helping every customer find shoes that truly fit, and we look forward to serving our community for generations to come.
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Five generations. One belief.
— Roderer Shoe Center, est. 1906 · Kettering, Ohio
1906 — 2026
120 Years of Roderer
A family, a craft, and a community — one step at a time
Click any milestone to expand its story
The Founding Era · 1906–1929
George Roderer Opens His Doors
Button boots & high-top oxfords
An immigrant from the foothills of the German Alps, George Roderer Sr. arrived in Dayton with a shoemaker's hands and an unwavering belief that every customer deserved a proper fit. What started as a craftsman's trade became a community cornerstone — a place where people came not just for shoes, but for expertise and genuine care.
1906
1910s
A Neighborhood Institution
Congress gaiters & lace-up work boots
In an era when most shoes were still handcrafted, Roderer's reputation for expert fitting spread block by block through Dayton's neighborhoods. Families would make the trip across town knowing they'd leave with shoes that actually fit — a rarity in a time before standardized sizing.
Surviving the Roaring Twenties
T-strap heels & spectator oxfords
As factory-made shoes became cheaper and more widely available, smaller specialty retailers faced real pressure. Roderer's answer was the same then as it is today: you can buy shoes anywhere, but you can only get a proper fit here. That philosophy kept customers loyal through the boom — and through what came next.
1920s
Resilience & Growth · 1930–1959
1930s
Keeping Dayton on Its Feet
Sturdy brogues & Mary Jane school shoes
When the Great Depression hit, families couldn't afford to waste money on shoes that didn't last. Roderer's commitment to durable, well-fitted footwear made the store more valuable than ever. People came in knowing they'd get it right the first time — no returns, no blisters, no wasted dollars.
The War Years
Wedge sandals & platform shoes emerge
Wartime rationing meant leather was scarce and shoe styles had to adapt. But Roderer adapted too — finding creative solutions for customers and ensuring every pair that left the store was worth its wartime price. The second generation of the Roderer family began working alongside George, learning the trade that would carry the family forward.
1940s
1950s
Postwar Prosperity & Kettering
Saddle shoes, penny loafers & pointed pumps
The postwar boom transformed the Dayton area. Families flocked to the suburbs, and Kettering grew into a thriving community. Roderer put down roots there and became part of the neighborhood fabric — the place you took your kids for their first school shoes, where mom found her church heels, and dad got his work boots resoled.
New Generations · 1960–1989
Counterculture & Comfort
Go-go boots, Earth shoes & platforms
The sixties rewrote fashion from the ground up — literally. Hemlines rose, heels changed, and an entirely new generation of shoe styles flooded the market. Roderer moved with it, stocking styles that reflected the times while holding firm to the belief that fashion and fit were never mutually exclusive.
1960s
1970s
The Running Revolution
New Balance & early Nike running shoes
The 1970s running boom changed everything. Suddenly, people cared deeply about how their athletic shoes fit — and Roderer was ready. The store began stocking performance brands and training staff to fit runners properly, laying the groundwork for the expertise-driven model that defines the store today.
Specialty Fitting Takes Root
Aerobics shoes & wide-width walking shoes
As national chains opened locations across Dayton, Roderer made a deliberate choice: go deeper, not broader. Hard-to-fit widths, orthopedic knowledge, and the sit-and-fit experience became the store's calling card — things no big-box retailer could replicate with undertrained staff and self-service shelving.
1980s
Into the Modern Era · 1990–2009
1990s
Pedorthic Expertise
Orthopedic classics & Birkenstocks arrive
The nineties cemented Roderer's reputation for serving customers with serious foot needs — AFO-compatible styles, orthotic-friendly lasts, wide and extra-wide widths that the chains simply didn't carry. Staff received pedorthic training that few independent retailers could match, and word spread through the medical community as well as the general public.
A Century Approaches
Hoka & Brooks usher in the comfort revolution
As e-commerce began reshaping retail, independent shoe stores faced an existential question. Roderer's answer was to invest even more deeply in what the internet couldn't offer: expert hands, trained eyes, and a staff that genuinely cared. The fifth generation — Chris and Emily Roderer — began taking ownership of the store's direction and its future.
2000s
The Next Chapter · 2010–2026
2010s
Chris & Emily Carry It Forward
Athleisure, wide-fit runners & therapeutic sandals
Chris and Emily Roderer took the helm with a clear vision: honor what George started while building for the next 100 years. Signature brands like New Balance, Hoka, Birkenstock, and Stride Rite defined the floor. And the sit-and-fit experience — the one that started it all — remained the heart of every customer interaction.
Digital & In-Store, United
Max-cushion shoes & functional first walkers
Roderer launched a complete eCommerce operation — bringing the same care and curation that customers knew from the store to a digital experience. The results proved that the personal touch translates: 79% year-over-year net sales growth, and a 116% improvement in conversion rate. George's values, scaled for a new century.
2020s
2026
120 Years & Counting
Here's to the next 120 years!
From a German immigrant's shoemaking bench to five generations of family stewardship — Roderer Shoe Center turns 120 in 2026. The store that George built on expertise, care, and the belief that the shoe is only as good as the fit has outlasted trends, recessions, world wars, and the internet. Some things are simply irreplaceable.
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"The shoe is only as good as the fit."
— Roderer Shoe Center, est. 1906 · Kettering, Ohio