03/25/2025
It all started in 1948 when our Grandfather, Richard "Dick" Rudolph opened Towson Bootery on York Rd. His commitment to customer service, serving his community and helping those in need led him to be known as the unofficial "Mayor of Towson." Our father, Alex Rudolph, learned the business and followed in our Pop-Pop's footsteps.
Our Dad spent his entire life in that shoe store. Stef and I don't know a world without him and the store going hand in hand. In the 1990s after he took over business, our Dad took a huge risk and moved it from York Rd to Kenilworth Mall. We remember that move, and it ended up giving our father his own space to build on the business our grandfather started and make it his own. He was there day in and day out, barely taking time to rest. He was the heart and soul of the Bootery. He taught us so much about hard work and customer service.
Stefanie and I grew up running through the isles of the store, trying on toe shoes, cleaning the mirrors, talking to customers. While I worked at the store in High School and College, ultimately I left Baltimore. Stefanie stayed in town and spent 17 years working at our dad's side.
As a father, our Dad cared a lot and showed it in various ways. He expected a lot from us but was also fun and goofy. He could be a big kid, which came into use perfectly when he finally became a Pop-pop himself. My children, Jake and Zach, adore my father. They have been running through the isles of the store since they were babies, just like Stefanie and I.
When we lost our Mom in 2019, our dad really stepped up for Stef, myself, and my kids. Our relationships were stronger than ever and we are eternally grateful for that. Our father worked hard until he unexpectedly passed away at the end of 2024. We are still in shock and his absence in our lives is palpable.
As hard of a decision as it was to close the doors on our family's business, simply put, there is really no Towson Bootery without Alex Rudolph. He was in that store 7 days a week, 365 days a year. If the mall was closed, he would sell shoes out the back door if someone needed them. He lived and breathed Towson Bootery. While we are heartbroken and still processing the unexpected loss of our father, we are also grieving the closure of the store and the connection it gave our family to the Baltimore community. Along with our Aunts Gail and Diane, the Rudolph family is so sad about this closure, but it was the necessary next step in our family story.
We are grateful for the enormous turnout from customers new and old over the last few weeks since announcing the closure. We are also so thankful for the incredible staff over the years, many of whom have become like family. We are grateful for what our Dad has done for the community, and what the community did for him and our family. Thank you everyone for 77 incredible years.
Sincerely,
The Rudolph family
