About Leo Dancewear (1924-2012)

General information and an introduction to Leo's Danceware of Chicago, the former maker of Leo's tap shoes. Note that the Leo Dancewear company was acquired by Bloch in 2012.

COMPANY NAME: Leo Dancewear
ESTABLISHED: 1934 in Chicago
SOLD TO BLOCH: 2012

The Leo Dancewear company was founded in 1934 sold to Bloch in 2012 The Leo's brand name has officially been registered as a brand name owned by Bloch. At least at one time, Leo's tap shoes were being made in Mexico.

Models of Leo Tap Shoes
The Leo Dancewear company was acquired by Bloch in 2012 and "Leo" is now an official brand name owned by Bloch. Leo's brand tap shoes and other Leo products are available in the shop on the Bloch Web site and at other retail stores that sell Bloch products.

History of the Leo Dancewear Company
Information about the establishment, development, and closure of the Leo Dancewear Company between 1934 and 2012.

Leo's Stores

Former Location of Leo's (now closed) Chicago area store
7601 West North Avenue
River Forest, Illinois, United States

Was their former (now closed) Chicago area warehouse here?
1900 North Narragansett Avenue
Chicago Iillinois

Leo's products are now sold in the Chicago area's official Bloch store:
Bloch's Official Chicago Store
159 North Marion Street
Oak Park Village (adjacent to west side of Chicago)
Illinois, United States

Leo's Web Sites

The "Leos Dancewear Dot Com" Web site now forwards to "US Dot Blochworld Dot Com".
OLD SITE: leosdancewear.com (at archive dot net)
NEW SITE: us.blochworld.com

Social Media Leo's Dancewar Sites Facebook "Leo Dancewear" Page

Articles

Oak Park "Goodbye to Leo's - Hello to Bloch" Article
Article by Nona Tepper published on the "Oakpark Dot Com" Web site on March 6, 2018. According to this article:
- The Leo Dancewear Company was founded in 1924 by shoemaker Leo Harris
- Its original location was on Wabash Avenue (near three theaters)
- Leo's mpved to 7601 West North Avenue in River Forest in 2012
- Bloch bought the Leo Dancewear Company in 2012
- The Leo Dancewear retail store in River Forest has closed
- The store will re-open as a Bloch store in early 2018
- The new store will be at 2018 at 159 North Marion Street

Point Shoe Brands "Leo's and Mirella owned by Bloch" Article

Founder's Son Allen Harris Died in 2002
BORN: 1934
DIED: September 22 2002
FATHER: Leo Harris (founder of Leo Dancewear)
BROTHER: Edward
SONS: Paul Harris Scott Harris, Gabe Goodman, and David
DAUGHTER: Jessica Goldman
SPOUSE: Helaine (she died in 1983) and Joyce
NOTE: After he recieved a bachelor's degree from Roosevelt University and a law degree from DePaul University he ran the company his father founded - Leo Dancewear - along with other family members.
- Chicago Tribune "Allan M. Harris" Obituary

Founder's Son Scott Harris Established Revolution Dancewear
Revolution Dancewear Twirls in Europe

Giordano Jazz Tap Shoes for Ladies
- Part Number: LS3005L
- 3/4 inch stacked heel
- leather seamless upper
- 3/4 inch stacked heel
- 3/4 inch stacked heel
- Leo's Ultra Tone Screw-on Taps
- 3/4 inch stacked heel
- Sizes 4 through 11

Leo's Tap Shoes at Amazon.com
- Leo's Giordano Tap Shoe (LS3004L)
- Leo's Giordano Spectator Tap Shoe (LS3004L)
- Leo's Slip-On Jazz Tap Shoe (LS3007L)
- Leo's Adult Split Sole Jazz Tap Shoe (LS3006L)

Leo's Tap Shoes at Discount Dance Supply
- Leo's Adult Slip-On Jazz Tap Shoes (LS3007L)
- Leo's Adult Giordano Spectator Tap Shoes (LS3004L)

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Makers and Brands of Tap Shoes

Tap Shoe Buying Guide

Other Products for Tap Dancers

All Tap Dancing Resources

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