Becker’s Best Shoes

is a family-owned, comfort footwear company located in Historic Downtown Mount Dora, Florida. Becker’s carries over 30 brands of shoes that are stylish and comfortable to your feet, including Birkenstock, Rieker, Naot, Olukai, Vionic, L’Artiste by Spring Step, Arcopedico, Hey Dude, Alegria, Dansko, Pikolinos, Skechers, Teva, Aetrex, Taos Footwear, and many more. They also carry a wide variety of handbags, and other accessories, including hats, socks, compression socks, insoles, and accessories for foot problems.

History

There has been a shoe store in this same location in Mount Dora for close to twenty years. The original business opened in October of 1999, primarily as a Birkenstock store. In October of 2015, Amy and Fred Becker purchased the store and added more lines of comfort shoes. “I always say the previous owners grew the tree and I came along and added the leaves,” said owner Amy Beck. “I am a fan of color and selection.”

Amy explains that she and Fred were led to purchase a shoe store based on a brand of shoes she wears. “I suffer from Plantar Fasciitis, heel spurs and a high arch. Wearing the best shoe for me has helped me so much,” said Amy. “All of our feet are different with different needs. Having had many painful foot issues helps in understanding our customer’s needs.”

Finding the Becker’s Best Shoe for each customer.

Amy has a work background in retail, as well as a family history. “My grandfather opened a women’s clothing store in my hometown of Brookhaven, MS, in 1923. It was called Benoit’s, and it was very well known in the south. My mother owned a ladies clothing store in Wimberly, Texas, called Betsy’s Hanger. I guess retail is in my blood,” she said with a laugh. But then she got serious. “You might wonder why I didn’t open a clothing store since everything I wear revolves around the shoes I wear. My feet are my priority. If my feet are unhappy, I am not happy.” Amy and her professional staff have a mission to help each customer find the right shoe for them. “Reports have shown that many of us have plenty of shoes that just didn’t work for us,” said Amy. “It warms my heart when a customer says, ‘You have really helped me.’”  

The Company Grows

In 2020, Becker’s Best Shoes relocated to a newly renovated space next door, tripling the store’s size to better serve its growing customer base. The company grew at such a rapid pace, Fred left his position in the banking industry to work full-time keeping the wheels turning with all the back office and website responsibilities.  

The new location gives Becker’s more room for stock, as well as for social distancing, an issue which is on everyone’s mind right now. “I always wanted to create conversation between staff and customers. Our seating arrangement stimulates conversation. Customers sit across from each other. Everyone gets to talking about life and other things. The conversations have led to lots of laughter, and even tears,” said Amy. 

Besides serving the residents of the local communities, Becker’s Best Shoes also gives back to the community. Amy explained: “We are members of Mount Dora Chamber, and other social media groups. We go to local hospitals to sell to the employees through payroll deductions. Over the years, we have been at Waterman Hospital, Leesburg, and The Villages Hospital.  Part of our proceeds are given to the Auxiliary of each hospital. We are also a drop off location for Soles 4 Souls, a worldwide charity that supplies shoes for all of the United States and 126 countries. And we are always donating to school raffles, and many charity fundraisers.” 

Amy and Fred Becker invite you to stop into Becker’s Best Shoes. “Customers tell us ‘It’s a fun place to shop’,” said Amy. Or learn more on their newly released website: www.beckersbestshoes.com. 

Becker’s Best Shoes...Offering “Becker’s Best in Selection and Service!”