Since shoes are clearly Bata s business, it seems fitting that this company would open North America s first footwear museum. The Bata Shoe Museum houses over 10,000 shoes in an award winning, five-story structure. Looking at old shoes may sound ho-hum, but some of this footwear is 4,500 years old.
Every shoe has a story.
In its simplest form, a wooden board was cut into the shape of a footprint with a post and knob at the front, to go between the big and second toe. These were not exactly Tevas, but they were open and airy, and meant to keep the sole raised above the sun-baked ground. The museum also has more recent Indian footwear, including leather sandals, embroidered velvet slippers with upturned toes, and woven grass shoes none of which would be terribly useful during a Canadian winter. The museum is right across the way at 327 Bloor Street West. Don t forget to wear your best shoes.