Longstanding Roxboro Family Business Employs Next Generation

The Bootery, Roxboro’s local family-owned and -operated shoe store, reached its 70th year of operation in Roxboro in 2023 and continues the tradition by employing the next generation of the family to work the store. Thirteen-year-old Mason Dallas started working at The Bootery at the beginning of summer in 2023 for his grandparents, Bill and Marilyn Dallas. Mason is completing seventh grade through homeschooling while helping out at The Bootery a few hours each week.

As a salesman, Mason’s responsibilities consist of putting up shoes as well as interacting with the customers. The Bootery is what is known as a “Sit and Fit Store,” according to Bill, meaning that Mason has gotten the opportunity to interact with many people in the Roxboro Community. When asked about Mason, Bootery customer Thomas Dixon said, “Mason’s a go-getter and very willing to help, which is something you don’t see as much anymore.”

Longstanding Roxboro Family Business Employs Next Generation - The Bootery — Mason Dallas attending to a customer at The Bootery, Roxboro, NC.
By Caroline Cates

The Bootery truly has been around for generations. It was started by Mason’s great-grandparents, Garland and Margaret Dallas, when they moved to Roxboro in 1953. Garland was always in the shoe business, having worked with shoe store chains while living in South Carolina, so he decided to start his own shoe store in Roxboro. Though the location has changed from its initial spot on Main Street to its permanent home on Madison Boulevard, The Bootery has always been a family business. Garland and Margaret had their three sons working in the store too while they were growing up, and once Bill took over the business he did the same thing with his kids.

Now, following in the family’s footsteps, Mason is working at The Bootery. Having lived in Roxboro his whole life, Mason has grown up in his grandparents’ store, having fond memories of running around, eating the snacks they kept for him in the back room, and even helping put up new pairs of shoes occasionally. Mason knew from an early age that he wanted to work in the store if ever given the chance. He said, “I remember my brother, Luke, working at the store and I saw his growth as a person as well as a salesman.”

Mason is the fourth generation in his family to work at The Bootery, giving new meaning to the phrase “family owned and operated.” When asked what the legacy of working at his family’s business means to him, Mason replied, “I’m proud to say I am able to help carry on the personal service and The Bootery’s standards of excellence that were established all those years ago.”