Scuffling across many a northern cabin wooden floor are soles clad in Minnetonka Moccasins. Their raw and rustic craftsmanship appeals to a lot of folks, and it shows in the company’s success.
Founded in 1946 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Minnetonka began as a souvenir shop. The name “Minnetonka” was derived from the Dakota Sioux title for a nearby lake. When it was clear that the “footwear influenced by traditional Native American moccasins” (their words) was the most popular product in the shop, their focus shifted in that direction.
In the 1950s, the company was purchased by the Millers, a family of Polish origin, and they still own it to this day. The current CEO, David Miller, is the third generation in the line of family ownership and control. You can find the moccasins and slippers in over 4,500 stores nationwide and annual revenue typically hits over $50 million.
Footwear in the style of Native American design has remained the primary product of Minnetonka since its founding. The company got its name and product straight from American history…but where are the goods being made? Let’s find out.
Verdict: Are Minnetonka Slippers Made in the USA?
No, Minnetonka Slippers are not made in the United States. They are manufactured in the Dominican Republic and China.
Minnetonka doesn’t waste time ambling around their manufacturing information. A complete and thorough dissection of the entire process is displayed clearly on a section of their website labeled “Our Manufacturing.” Although their products are not made in America, they aren’t shy about telling you.
Following information from Men’s Moosehide Classic:
When the business began in 1946, all production occurred near their home base in Minneapolis. It lasted about twenty years until the company decided to move manufacturing to Puerto Rico in 1966. After another 30 years, Minnetonka finally moved the majority of operations to the Dominican Republic, where it remains today.
According to the company, the reason for the location shifts was a lack of skilled workers. They claim the same reasoning for why they cannot revisit the possibility of a factory here in the US again.
In addition to the company-owned factory in the Dominican Republic, Minnetonka also partners with facilities in China for some of its production. This partnership has been established since 1999.
Widely recognized as pulling inspiration from Native American culture, Minnetonka has long been on the hot seat for cultural appropriation. No one in the Miller family or current administration is of Native American descent. However, the slipper designs and even the company name are clearly derived from indigenous culture. It’s ironic that the facade of Minnetonka is as American as can be, and yet…do you see where I’m going with this?
In summary, although Minnetonka products reflect the craftsmanship of Native American peoples, they are far from American.
Popular American Made Minnetonka Products
- None that we could find
Popular Minnetonka Products Not Made in the USA
- Women’s Cally Slipper
- Women’s Chrissy Slipper
- Men’s Moosehide Classic
