SoftMoc

SoftMoc's own site carries the tagline "Truly Canadian Owned & Operated Since 1990." Its origin, as told by CFO Jeff Chiasson in an official Moneris customer case study: "The national retailer started as a cart filled with moccasins that was rolled into the Eaton Centre in Toronto (ON). The cart was known as 'The Canadian Moccasin Company.'" Founder Bert Krista grew up around his father's cobbler shop and sold belts on the side before spotting the opportunity to sell moccasins, sourcing suppliers out of Northern Quebec to get started.

From that cart, SoftMoc grew into a national chain: in 1994 it became one of the first companies to introduce Doc Martens to Canada, and two years later it launched the first online shoe store in the country. Today it's headquartered in Whitby, Ontario, with well over 100 stores across Canada. Toronto Metropolitan University's own alumni discounts page describes SoftMoc as "one of the only Canadian owned and operated national footwear retailers in the country."