The Family Behind the Name
Main & Taylor Shoe Salon · Est. 1993 · Raleigh, NC
Archie & Diane (and Alex!) in 1993 — the first location in Cameron Village
Y’all may not know this, but the original Main & Taylor was situated right on the actual corner of Main Street and Taylor Street in Columbia, South Carolina. This was before our family stepped into the fray. Back then, Main & Taylor had two different owners and three stores dotted across the Carolinas and Georgia and Archie was part of their sales team.
When Archie moved to Raleigh to open a Main & Taylor lease department inside Boylan Pearce Department Store, he never imagined how quickly life would change. In 1993, an opportunity presented itself—one that required equal parts courage and conviction. With the support of family and friends, Archie took a leap of faith and became the owner of Main & Taylor in Cameron Village.
The road wasn’t easy. Early on, Archie realized that owning a small business came with more challenges than he’d anticipated. So, like many wise men, he turned to his wife, Diane. At the time, Diane was pregnant with their son, Alex, yet she never hesitated. She believed in Archie’s vision, trusted his work ethic, and stepped in beside him—selling shoes on weekends, learning the business late into the night, and building something from the ground up, long before Google or online ordering existed.
Neither Archie nor Diane had experience running a business or buying shoes, but they had something far more valuable: intuition, grit, and heart. With Diane’s discerning eye and Archie’s natural charm and deep product knowledge, Main & Taylor grew into a boutique that felt personal, thoughtful, and unmistakably Southern.
They were also blessed with people who became more than employees. Jeff Hopkins, Tracy Nash, and Merri Henri helped shape the store into a place where customers were welcomed like friends and loyalty ran deep. If you’ve shopped with us over the years, chances are you’ve been helped by one of them—and left feeling right at home.
More than thirty years later, after countless miles walked and plenty of leather sold, Main & Taylor continues to evolve. The original location was relocated to North Hills in Raleigh, a second location opened in Greensboro, the business expanded online, and Alex joined full-time, bringing a new generation’s perspective while honoring the foundation laid before him.
As many of y’all know, working with family requires patience, trust, and a good sense of humor—and the Chinnis family is no exception. Like any family business, there are moments when perspectives differ and opinions are shared freely. While you might expect decisions to come down to a simple two-to-one vote, Diane’s steady voice has a way of guiding everyone to the right answer....her answer.
Today, the torch is being passed—slowly… very slowly—as the wisdom of experience meets modern energy and tech savvy. Change is inevitable and welcomed. What will never change is the love of beautifully made shoes, bags, and accessories, or the commitment to sharing that passion with customers for years to come.
Rooted in family and carried forward with care, Main & Taylor looks ahead to the next thirty years with the same heart and hospitality that have always defined it.
