After 7 decades in business, Nelson family knows footwear
One would think that perfecting the art of bringing quality footwear to customers might take some time. The Nelson family has been in the shoe trade since 1946, starting with the original Knapp Shoes, and since then, has had an ear to customers’ needs and an eye on the changes and trends in the quality footwear industry. So when it comes to this business, they do indeed have a toehold.
“My father, James R. Nelson, founded Knapp Shoes,” said Jim Nelson. “Since then, we’ve gone through some transitions and name changes, but it has always been the family business and it always has been about fine footwear.”
This holiday shopping season, Nelson’s Boots & Shoes maintains the tradition of supplying footwear and making it available for those seeking to put something special under the tree. According to Nelson, in this area, western boots still dominate as preferred footwear.
“We’ve got styles of western boots, cowboy boots are our most popular items and are something Christmas shoppers come looking for,” Nelson said. “We offer them in all sorts of styles and materials and sizes all the way up to 15. They start out in price around $99.50 and go up from there.”
Nelsons offers their boots and footwear in a wide range of materials, too—from common leather to more exotic leathers, as well as things like lizard skins.
“Iguana, to be exact,” Nelson said.
Also, boot shoppers can get footwear made up of ostrich skin as well as the legendary alligator skin.
“For those looking for boots that are for the person on the job, we have those, too.” Nelson said. “We have all kinds of work boots for all kinds of jobs. We even have steel-toed boots and other protective boots that work as hard as the wearer.”
Brand names abound in footwear and Nelson has them. Whether a shopper is looking for Tony Lama, Justin, Laredo and others, they can be found here.
“It’s the holidays. And if a new pair of boots or three are what you are looking for, we can help you out,” Nelson said. “And we thank all our customers, then and now.”
Nelson’s Boots & Shoes is located 3601 N. State Line Ave., Texarkana, Texas. Call 903-7945571.