07/17/2026
Canada’s most iconic and defining moment in footwear from the 70s: Greb Steel Toe Shoes
Starting in 1910, Greb Shoe Company was a Kitchener based business owned by Charles E. Greb, who began producing Hush Puppies in the 50s from a factory in Kitchener Ontario called the “Valentine” Plant. Due to the business’ profound success, this plant was more colloquially known as the Hush Puppy Plant. The business witnessed global success and expansion, and by 1963, a tenth of all American adults had a pair of hush puppies. Hush puppies were even adopted by celebrities such as Caroline Bassette-Kennedy, Princess Diana, David Bowie, The Beatles, and Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump.
Hush Puppies became widely popular among casual wearers and workmen who relied on quality safety wear; most notably due to Greb’s very successful marketing involving Basset Hound imagery.
Charles brought a Basset Hound into the company’s advertising strategy, naming her “Velvet”, and included her in magazine campaigns, television advertisements, and would bring her to in person events in department stores. Later, a second hound would be added to the Greb family, named “Jasmine”.
Steel Toe and Safety Toe Greb Shoes available in Store in Limited Sizes!
