Old shoe shining machine behind counter at D & B Boot and Shoe Shop. SYDNEYTATOM/OU.

D & B Boot and Shoe Shop has become a staple in Norman, earning a reputation as the area’s premiere store for high quality boot and leather services.  

Father and son duo, Dominic and Baud Ramirez opened D & B Boot and Shoe Shop on March 3, 2020, just days before the COVID-19 pandemic shut the world down and caused many small businesses to close. Now, five years later, the two are continuing to serve the greater Norman community in all their boot and leather needs. 

Dom Ramirez grew up in Northwest Oklahoma; boots, blue jeans, and denim was just a way of life for him. Growing up, he found purpose in working with his hands and took on the challenge of learning how to repair his own boots. 

“Learning how to fix things, make things with your hands, gives us an incredible sense of fulfillment,” Dom said. 

Dom and Baud have discovered genuine joy in running their family owned and operated business. Dom noted there is a sense of unity, knowing everyone is in it for the same reasons. 

“It’s more joyful than anything else. If you can’t do what you love, you might as well do it with who you love,” Baud added.

According to Dom, running a business like D & B means taking on all the roles. “You have to wear all the hats. You can’t just be a craftsman. Here you have to do the good with the bad,” he explained.

Although rude and hateful customers are rare, Baud noted they often deal with impatient customers that don’t understand the time required for quality service. 

Still, through their dedication to their craftsmanship, they have created more than a business, rather they’ve created long lasting relationships with customers, and a welcoming space for anyone who walks through the shop doors.

They are welcoming to all people from all across Norman and Oklahoma City and they’re willing to help anybody that they can,” said Oklahoma RUF/NEK Alumni Noah Albert. “You feel like you’re actually being taken care of whenever you walk into their store.” 

Dom and Baud began working with the Oklahoma RUF/NEKS and Lil’ Sis several years ago, cutting and stitching the leather that is wrapped around the organization’s signature paddles, as well as resoling boots and creating other leather goods worn by it’s members.

“They are very knowledgeable about their business,” said senior RUF/NEK Lil’ Sis Abby Mahaffey. “They are very supportive of our organization and they cater to a lot of our needs and they treat us like we are people, not Norman celebrities. They want to get to know you.”   

D & B Boot and Shoe Shop just recently moved locations to 121 N Porter Ave in Norman, Oklahoma. They are open from 9 am to 5:30 pm Monday through Friday and are closed on weekends.