RG Barry Corporation

The story begins in 1947 with an observation by founder Florence Melton. While visiting a tire manufacturer, she encountered foam latex and envisioned its potential for footwear. Along with her husband Aaron Zacks and partner Harry Streim, she established a company that would soon pivot to creating the world's first foam-cushioned, washable slipper. They named the company R.G. Barry Corporation, after their children. Their initial product, Angel Treads, launched in 1949 and was an immediate success, leading to the iconic Dearfoams brand in 1958. The company experienced steady growth and went public on the American Stock Exchange in 1962 to fund expansion. Throughout the following decades, R.G. Barry expanded its distribution from department stores to mass-market retailers. The journey wasn't without challenges; the company faced periods of declining sales and restructuring, at one point selling off a popular footwear brand called Mushrooms in 1982 to refocus on its core slipper business. A significant shift occurred in 2014 when Mill Road Capital and The Blackstone Group took R.G. Barry private, ending its long run as a publicly traded entity. This move was intended to provide the flexibility to execute a long-term strategic plan. The strategy evolved to building a multi-brand platform, which included the 2011 acquisition of handbag and accessory maker Baggallini. Most recently, in June 2024, Marubeni Growth Capital U.S. acquired a majority stake in the company, with Blackstone exiting its position. This latest acquisition aims to accelerate both organic growth and further acquisitions, positioning R.G. Barry for its next chapter as a diversified lifestyle brand powerhouse.