Our Story
This iconic, one family store was established in 1946 by Laurie Gubb with the help of a rehabilitation loan on his return from the Second World War. He ran the shop with his wife Grace for more than 25 years until his son Paul was commandeered in 1970 after leaving Nelson College.
Gubb's Shoe Fashions in 1949 at 143 Manners Street, Wellington.
Sgt Laurie Gubb 33356, Middle East, 1942 and Laurie in the 1950s.
Grace swinging along on the piano
Paul ran the shop from the mid '70s to the mid '90s when he began a successful charter boat business in Wellington Harbour and the Marlborough Sounds, only selling Sweet Georgia recently.
Julie & Paul in the storeroom, always jam-packed with great shoes!
Gubb's Shoe Fashions in 1949 at 143 Manners Street, Wellington.
Sgt Laurie Gubb 33356, Middle East, 1942 and Laurie in the 1950s.
Grace swinging along on the piano
Paul ran the shop from the mid '70s to the mid '90s when he began a successful charter boat business in Wellington Harbour and the Marlborough Sounds, only selling Sweet Georgia recently.
Paul's wife Julie became involved in the 80s and runs the store today with the help of their longstanding & knowledgeable staff. Over the past 75 years Gubb's has become an institution, offering the biggest range of comfortable, stylish, quality women's shoes in Wellington at the fairest prices, always!
Their huge selection includes renowned European labels such as Rieker, Josef Seibel, Ecco, Hogl & Eos to name just a few, along with great mid-range brands such as Cabello, Planet, Stegmann and Earth plus everyday staples including CC Resorts, Los Cabos and Crocs.
Their huge selection includes renowned European labels such as Rieker, Josef Seibel, Ecco, Hogl & Eos to name just a few, along with great mid-range brands such as Cabello, Planet, Stegmann and Earth plus everyday staples including CC Resorts, Los Cabos and Crocs.
Gubb's are a veritable shoe emporium and with their friendly, knowledgeable service will always do their absolute best to match you with the perfect shoe.
Both Paul's mother Grace and Julie's mother Claire continued working into their 80s, such was their love of the shop buzz and the chat with all their regulars. "That's a tough act to follow" says Julie laughing, "but you never know, time flies when you're having fun and we love what we do in here". Paul says “I'm looking forward to popping in to the shop a bit more often now and catching up with afew of our beaut old customers & their families. We are now seeing third & fourth generation customers coming in and are very proud of that - you can't buy reputation!”
Both Paul's mother Grace and Julie's mother Claire continued working into their 80s, such was their love of the shop buzz and the chat with all their regulars. "That's a tough act to follow" says Julie laughing, "but you never know, time flies when you're having fun and we love what we do in here". Paul says “I'm looking forward to popping in to the shop a bit more often now and catching up with afew of our beaut old customers & their families. We are now seeing third & fourth generation customers coming in and are very proud of that - you can't buy reputation!”
Julie & Paul in the storeroom, always jam-packed with great shoes!