Regan’s Shoe Corner Rounds Quarter-Century Milestone-This Day In Norwood History-April 5, 1946

Twenty-five years ago, on Friday the 13th, the people of Norfolk County started “putting their feet in Regan’s hands.”

A native of Northampton, Mass.,. and a former manager of shoe stores in Westfield, Mass., Norfolk. Va„ Washington, D. C., and Boston, John Regan came to Norwood in 1918 during World War 1 as temporary manager of the See Kay Shoe Store. He liked Norwood so well that he made up his mind then and there to locate here permanently.

The opportunity to start in business presented itself in March, 1921, when the only empty store on Washington Street was secured at number 652. Thus was realized an ambition dreamed of as a boy, for Mr, Regan had started working in a shoe store at the age of 14.

No. 652 Washington Street, the original home of Regan’s Shoe Store, was a small store in a two-story dwelling house adjacent to the present Folan Block. In a year’s time the property was torn down and the struggling business was forced to vacate, moving into the only place available, the unfinished basement of the store occupied by Robert and Susan Phillips.

“Down but not out,” Regan’s ads in the Norwood Messenger read at that time.

In December, 1922, the store was moved to its present location, Regan’s Shoo Corner. That same year a Repair and Hat Cleaning department was added at 3 Cottage Street This was given up a year ago to make room for a new Children’s Shoe Lounge which will be opened when the necessary shoes and materials are available.

It is significant that the present manager, Francis J. Doran, has been with the firm since its opening 25 years ago.

Mr. Regan is a charter member of the Norwood Rotary Club, a member of the Elks, the Norwood Historical Society, the executive board of the Chamber of Commerce and the first president of the Norwood Retail Trade Board.

He has always had a sincere interest in community affairs and has worked actively for civic betterment.

He resides with his wife, the former Sally Blake of the Norwood High School faculty, at 12 Shattuck Road.

(All articles originally published in the Norwood Messenger)