JUNE 8 • 2023 | 35

Johnston, 41, of Berkley, who 
joined the family business in 
2010. Katie Ray heads up the 
store’s digital and social media 
presence.
 “It was always a goal to build 
a beautiful business and hand 
it off to my beautiful daughter,
” 
Rob laughs. “The best business 
move I have made in my career 
was bringing Katie Ray in as my 
fantastic partner. The store is 
always in harmony.
”
From Northland, Rob 
eventually moved the store to 
Fairlane and then Eastland. In 
1985, Sundance Shoes made 
its home on The Boardwalk 
in West Bloomfield, where it 
would stay for more than 30 
years. Another location that 
Rob says was “terrific.
”
“People from all over came 
to see our beautiful store,
” he 
explains. “We had the most 
incredible selection of women’s 
shoes that they’
d ever seen.
”
As an active member of the 
Metro Detroit Jewish commu-

nity, Rob serves many Jewish 
customers. He also contributes 
to Jewish organizations, such as 
ORT.
In 2016, Katie Ray scouted 
a new location for Sundance 
Shoes. The store relocated to 
Birmingham, where it found 
a home on Old Woodward 
Avenue. She says she’s proud of 
the store, where shoppers can 
find women’s clothing in addi-
tion to shoes.
Working with her dad has 
been “a great experience,
” Katie 

Ray says. “We’re a very happy 
family.
”
 Currently, Sundance Shoes 
has 12 employees, many of 
whom came from the West 
Bloomfield location (mixed in 
with some new faces). 
 “We have a great staff that 
are very knowledgeable and 
give great service,” Katie Ray 
says.
With a “beautiful vibe 
and high energy”within, she 
explains that many customers 
come back to Sundance Shoes 

year after year for all their 
footwear needs.
While the staff has played 
a major role in the evolution 
of the family business over 
the decades (and its ability to 
weather storms like COVID-
19 that wiped out many small 
businesses), it’s the customers 
who keep Sundance Shoes 
going strong.
“We want to thank every-
body for their support,” Rob 
says, “and for helping us build 
the business we have today. 
We love our customers from 
the bottom of our hearts. It’s 
because of them we get to cele-
brate 50 years.”
To mark the major mile-
stone, Sundance Shoes will be 
holding a 20% off storewide 
sale beginning June 15. As for 
Rob and Katie Ray’s plans for 
the next 50 years, they said 
they aren’t going anywhere.
“We’re going to be here as 
long as we can,” Katie Ray says. 
“This is just the beginning.” 

Sundance 
Shoes in 
Birmingham

NMLS #718852

B I R M I N G H A M

We can’t help you 
solve a Sudoku.

But we can help you 
understand mortgages.

Ad Number:
PP-BOAA-22775F
Trim:
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Perich Job No:
22775
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Colors:
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Format: 
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Version:
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