Len Suckling founded Sucklings Shoes in 1934 in Christchurch, New Zealand and it has remained a family-owned business. In 1948, the store moved to its current location at 627 Columbo Street. Len retired in 1977 and passed the business to his son. The current owner, John Suckling, is the second owner. Originally selling formal lace-up leather shoes, the store now offers a wider variety of styles for men and women. While the factory closed in the 1980s, the store continues to specialize in hard-to-find quality footwear and has undergone renovations to modernize and expand selections.