About Us

Haase’s Shoe Store was founded in 1921 by Boris and Della Haase in Uptown, New Orleans, on Oak Street. In 1922 Boris and Della purchased a house across the street from the original location and had it raised. They opened the store on the lower level and raised their family above the store. At that time, Oak Street was a popular shopping center in the city.

In 1931, Della Haase opened Haase’s Young Folks Shop next to the shoe store. Della ran Haase’s Young Folks Shop until 1960, when her daughter Vera May Haase Caliva took over. Vera May took over Haase’s Shoe Store’s operations in 1968 after the passing of her brother, Boris Haase, Jr. From 1968 until 2013, Vera May had a hand in running both stores. From 1970 until 2010, Vera May’s son Bruce Caliva and his wife Debbie helped manage the stores. In 2010 Vera May’s youngest son Kevin Caliva and his wife, Judy, took over Haase’s Shoe Store and Young Folks Shop when Bruce and Debbie decided to retire. Vera May, however, stayed on board and finally retired at the age of 96 in 2013. She passed away just months before her 99^th birthday in 2015. Today, Haase’s Shoe Store and Young Folks Shop are owned by Kevin and Judy Caliva.

Haase’s Shoe Store and Young Folks Shop have been serving New Orleans’s families for six generations. Parents know that Haase’s is a reliable place to get children’s shoes and clothing, just like their parents and grandparent before them.