Our Story
Our 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.
Paul's wife Julie became involved in the 80s and runs the store today with daughter Lucy. Over the past 75 years Gubb's became an institution, offering the biggest range of comfortable, stylish, quality women's shoes in Wellington at the fairest prices.
At Easter 2023 the Iconic Wakefield Street store closed its doors for the last time as Julie and Paul wished to slow down and spend more time with family and out on the harbour.
In 2024 Gubb's rebranded and opened a small women's shoe store 'Village Shoes' in the heart of Khandallah Village, still doing what they do best but on a smaller scale.
Julie & Paul in the storeroom, always jam-packed with great shoes!