Thomas Lowry

Washington Shoe Company was founded in 1891 with the mission of creating durable boots to withstand the extreme weather conditions of the Alaska Gold Rush. Over time, the company has expanded its offerings to include a wide range of footwear for men, women, and children under the Western Chief, Chooka, and Staheekum brands. At the heart of its success is a deep commitment to customer satisfaction, which drives the company's ongoing efforts to develop functional and affordable footwear for all. The company’s flagship brand, Western Chief, is well-known for its innovative 3D frog and ladybug kids' rubber boots, which revolutionized the character rain boot category. These beloved boots were recently selected as one of Oprah's Favorite Things in 2022 and can be found on the Western Chief website, westernchief.com. To learn more about Washington Shoe Company and its various brands, including Chooka (shopchooka.com), and Staheekum (staheekum.com), please visit their websites. Additionally, the company's nonprofit organization, Wear A Big Smile Foundation, is dedicated to supporting children and families in need and can be found at wearabigsmile.org.