Village Shoe Store Founder Lew Bodell Dies at 92

In March 1959 Lew Bodell opened his own shoe store on Viking Way after serving as manager of a downtown Long Beach shoe store. He recently passed away of natural causes at age 92.

According to his son, Richard, in a Beachcomber interview last year, “This is a unique location and my father understood that in order to build a successful business, location is a key factor. Parkview Village was a great location for my dad to begin building relationships with the community.

“Lew Bodell’s goal was to provide access to quality comfort footwear with a high level of customer service. Lew valued his individual customers and built his business by investing the time and effort to identify their needs. Although Lew retired in 2008, his philosophy still defines Bodell’s Family Shoes,” according to the story.

Son Richard started working with his father after graduating from college in 1975. He subsequently purchased the business more than 20 years ago.

In March 2019 Parkview Village honored Bodell by naming “Lew Bodell Lane,” a half block that connects Carson Street with Viking Way. “He was thrilled about that,” according to Richard.

Services were held this past Tuesday at Rose Hill Cemetery.