Avon Boot Shop carries a variety of footwear.

More than just boots, Avon Boot Shop
offers old-fashioned customer service
Published Oct. 1, 2008

Dan Forthofer and his wife, Ann, carry on a tradition that is 60 years old — running the family store.

Originally founded in 1948 as Avon Hardware by Dan’s grandfather, Joseph Forthofer and his father, Julian “Foot” Forthofer, Avon Boot Shop has evolved with its customers throughout the decades, taking different names and locations.

In the beginning, when Joseph and “Foot” ran the store, they catered to the immediate needs of local farmers, selling everything from trapping and hunting equipment to Maytag ringer washer machines.  Over the years, Avon Hardware took on the name Avon Gun & Tack Shop and became one of the largest sporting goods, horse equipment, hunting, fishing and rifling stores in Ohio.

From 1984-1994, the Avon Boot Shop was located at Southland Shopping Center in Middleburg Heights, taking western apparel to another level.  But in 1994, the shop outgrew itself and the Forthofer’s relocated to the Great Northern Shopping Plaza in North Olmsted.

Then, in 2000, Dan and Ann Forthofer decided to take the Avon Boot Shop back to its roots, in Avon, and opened up shop where it originally made its debut to local customers.  Transforming from a hardware store to a one-stop shop for work, western and biker boots along with motorcycle and western accessories, the Avon Boot Shop has definitely stood the test of time.

Today, the Avon Boot Shop in known for its extensive boot/shoe collection, whether for work or just to make a fashion statement, with more than 200 styles to choose from. Work boot brands include Red Wing, Rocky, Georgia, Carolina, Wolverine, Wesco, Timberland, Dr. Martens, Skechers and Worx.  Be sure to check out the shop’s unique western boot line with boots made from exotic leathers like caiman alligators, stingray, eels, lizards, full-quill ostriches, ostrich legs, pythons, rough-out  leathers and cowhides.  Also, the bike department at the shop carries one of the largest Harley Davidson footwear collections around.

If you are looking for an in-style, comfortable shoe, pick up a pair of the Avon Boot Shop’s Minnetonka Moosehide moccasins/shoes or Reef sandals.

While Avon Boot Shop has a myriad of boots and shoes to choose from, it also guarantees that no one will walk out of the shop a mad hatter.  With classic hat brands such as Stetson, Resistol, Renegade, Scala and Bailey for guys, girls and children, anyone can find the perfect hat to match his or her personal style.

Avon Boot Shop doesn’t only cater to a work and western state of style, it also has something for customers crazy about motorcycles, stocking leather jackets, chaps and vests from Unik, First Manufacturing, Leather Gallery and Schott.  You can also find a large selection of leather accessories such as saddlebags, touring bags, tool pouches, gloves, rain suits, windshield bags, vest extenders, biker chain wallets, sunglasses and goggles from Wiley X, Gatorz, Bobster, Pacific Suncoast and KD’s.

Let Avon Boot Shop cover you from head to toe.  Stop by the shop Monday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m.

The Avon Boot Shop is located at 38450 Chester Road in Avon.  For more information, call (440) 934-3230 or visit www.avonboot.com.

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