A New Chapter: Stepping Into The Shoe Business Legacy

For the Meloney family, the shoe business is more than just a way to make a living – it’s a legacy built on years of hard work, passion, and dedication, spread over 4 generations.

In 2022, Bruce and Lizz decided to begin their next chapter, semi-retirement! Their daughter, Kate, having taken time away from her Human Resources career during the COVID-19 pandemic to be at home with her 3 children, decided that it was time to re-enter the business that she grew up in. Kate spent her childhood in the shoe business – first at Family Footwear in North Sydney. She fondly remembers playing “store” in the basement of the store where staff likely had a hard time figuring out the cash register after the Meloney kids pressed all of the buttons and changed all of the settings and there were shelves of Tender Tootsie samples that were always out of order when they were done “selling”.

Kate spent her high school years working between Bruce and Lizz’s ladies wear store With You In Mind and The Shoe Tree – both located at our former location in Smart Shop Place. There, she worked with both longtime employees Violet Manning and Al Crawley.

Kate becomes the 4th generation of Meloney’s to sell shoes on Cape Breton Island – though it looks much different than the previous generations. Kate is based on the South Shore of Nova Scotia, where she lives with her husband, Marcus and children, Mason, Lucy and Harrison.

Kate credits the amazing team at The Shoe Tree for the success and her ability to manage the store from away. If it weren’t for Violet and Al, who know the store and shoe business so well, it wouldn’t run so well or look so good! All of the team at The Shoe Tree, work well together and understand that above all else, customer service is our number one priority.

The next chapter of The Shoe Tree is online. The launch of their new website and online store offers the opportunity to grow our customer base outside of Cape Breton Island and meet the needs of people in search of great footwear – in particular Rieker shoes. Rest assured, our store in Downtown Sydney and our loyal customers remain our biggest priority – no changes here, except for new and exciting lines and the ability to shop from the comfort of your home.

Bruce and Lizz remain in business as buyers and most importantly: knowledge and advice givers! Just as Sid and Lois would have done for them when they took over for them at The Shoe Tree, nearly 45 years ago.