A fourth-generation, family-owned sit-and-fit shoe retailer founded in 1886, Stout’s Footwear has an unquestionable legacy of serving its community with care.

“Our focus has always been on helping people feel better through proper fit and personalized service,” explains Stephanie Stout, who runs Stout’s alongside husband Brad Stout. What keeps them excited about the business, they tell us,  is the combination of service, community, and problem-solving that makes this industry so rewarding.

Stout’s Footwear specializes in comfort, performance, and lifestyle footwear, including athletic, walking, comfort-casual, dress, outdoor, and work shoes, along with socks, insoles, and accessories.

The retailer has four locations in Central Indiana: two in Indianapolis (Mass Ave. and Greenwood), one in Brownsburg, and its newest store, in Carmel, which recently reopened in a brand-new development after spending more than 35 years in its original Carmel location. Each store has a unique rhythm, notes Stephanie. The Mass Ave. store draws tourists, convention attendees, and downtown residents, while Greenwood and Brownsburg are destination neighborhoods with loyal, long-time customers. Carmel blends a familiar customer base with the excitement of a modern, growing community.

The store’s customer service philosophy? “We engage,” says Stout. “Our job is to listen and solve real problems — foot pain, lifestyle needs, travel plans, medical requirements, or just finding the perfect everyday shoe. We make it personal, not transactional.”

She adds , “Every customer should walk out feeling better than when they walked in — whether that’s physically, emotionally, or both.”

Stout’s Footwear focuses on offering in-store connections that big-box and online retail can’t replicate: human connection, expertise, fit, and trust. The sit-and-fit experience in-store includes staff who ask questions and understand biomechanics, along with a welcoming environment that focuses on making people feel cared for. While Stout notes it can be a challenge to handle customers who want immediacy — instant availability, instant answers, and instant gratification — the store manages this by training staff to help guide customers to smart “alternative” options. Strong vendor partnerships, drop-ship options and a flexible, curated inventory mix are also crucial for the retailer. “We can’t always offer everything, but we can always offer honesty, expertise, and solutions,” she says.

Stout’s Footwear also offers a “simple, easy” loyalty program where customers earn rewards through purchases and receive exclusive perks, early access, and event invitations. The focus is on delight, not complexity.

Employing around 25 team members across all stores, Stout tells us, “Attracting and retaining staff starts with culture. We hire for warmth, curiosity, and genuine people skills — the shoe knowledge comes later.”

2025 has been a blend of challenge and momentum for the business. “The retail landscape remains competitive, but our strengths — customer service, community connection, and curated comfort brands — have kept us moving forward,” notes Stout.

Athletic and comfort-casual have been strong categories this year, she says, highlighting HOKA, Birkenstock, Pikolinos, and Dansko as among the bright spots. The retailer has also seen growth in younger demographics, while also still serving the store’s loyal core customers. While 2025 posed economic pressures, Stout says, “Our mission never changed: take great care of people.”

A successful initiative this year for Stout’s was investing in special events — trunk shows, brand partnerships, and community activations. “These events boosted traffic, deepened customer relationships, and reminded people why brick-and-mortar matters,” says Stout.

Stout’s also made improvements in digital marketing and refined its online store experience. Stout’s sells online through stoutsfootwear.com, which was recently relaunched after retiring its previous domain. “Online is an important channel for convenience and reach, but for us it’s an extension of our service experience — not a replacement,” explains Stout.

Being a member of the National Shoe Retailers Association (NSRA) — and serving on the board — has had “a profound and measurable impact” on the retailer’s business, Stephanie shares. “NSRA has given us access to a national network of independent retailers who openly share ideas, challenges, and best practices. That level of collaboration is rare in any industry, and it has pushed us to continuously elevate our standards.”

What does it mean to be one of two top-scoring Gold Medal stores this year? Stephanie Stout says, “This award validates what our family has believed for four generations: service matters. It reflects our staff’s hard work, our customers’ loyalty, and our commitment to doing things the right way. It’s not just a win for Stout’s — it’s a win for independent retail.”