More Than Just a Shoe Company

We first found out about Tags Alpargatas while eating breakfast with our friend Rachel of Hippie in Heels in the fall of 2018. We had recently moved to Merida, Yucatan and were on a hunt for local people that were doing good things in the world. We heard the restaurant owner talking about a Mexican shoe store that was the drop-off spot for warm blankets for the elderly in the towns surrounding Merida. We were immediately interested in why a shoe store was doing more than just selling shoes.

For people unfamiliar with the brand, Tags Alpargatas is a locally made Mexico shoe company that in our opinion sells the most comfortable slipper-style shoes we have found. They are very similar to TOMS flat shoes except with many more unique Mexican themed designs! Using traditional techniques along with modern digital printing they have created a wonderful concept. They have a variety of different colors and patterns and will even do some custom orders if the quantity is high enough.

TagHeads

We have become addicted to Tags shoes and are now on our 8th pair. There are ‘sneakerheads’ for basketball shoes and I would consider us Tagheads. Whenever a new pattern comes out we feel the pull of going down to Centro to pick out another pair. I do not think we are alone in our addiction as we have heard stories of customers buying up to 10 pairs at a time. The co-owners Mauricio and Abiff keep the prices relatively low. Part of their mission is that everyone should be able to afford a pair of their shoes.

The Owners

It is hard to miss Mauricio and Abiff who are always in the store. Make sure to take some time and chat with them about Mexican history, culture and really anything under the sun. The two of them make an incredibly welcoming environment for their customers and we have enjoyed getting to know them. Mauricio is quoted as saying “people come into the store to buy shoes and leave having made new friends.”

It is easy to see why they have been so successful, not only in Merida but throughout Mexico and the whole world. 

Growing and Developing the Company Beyond Just Shoes

Part of the mission of Tags Alpargatas is giving back to the local community. They built equal partnerships with local Maya showmaking families, who have a history of making shoes. They work closely with Mauricio and Abiff, yet manage their own production space where they make the shoes out of their own house in a traditional way. They use traditional tools and their hands to make the shoes, rather than mass producing through factory type machines. This is all part of the mission and Mauricio and Abiff wouldn’t have it any other way.

In our conversation with Mauricio, Tags Alpargatas’ business model is what is known as a ‘social enterprise’. We have witnessed first hand their relationship with the Mayan shoemakers, who are also their business partners. In fact, it seems more like a family than mere business partners.

See more of our conversation with Mauricio in the Tags Promo Video we created for the vlog below! Watch and see what Tags is all about!

No Time Like the Present to Support

Be sure to support this amazingly creative and socially conscious business the next time you’re in Merida or even from abroad. The COVID-19 pandemic has been especially difficult for local small businesses in Merida, Mexico and it is as important as ever to support our local economy. 

 It has also been difficult for the Maya shoemaking family who works closely with Tag’s as there was a recent death in the family. Not only have they been struggling to make enough money as the economy has been down ever since this pandemic began, but very sadly it was their lead shoemaker who recently passed away. If you are thinking about donating to Tags at this time please do not hesitate to contact Mauricio or Abiff at their Facebook page for more information. This is a difficult time for so many but we believe if we all can step up to look out for one another perhaps we can help just a little. 

Where to Buy Tags shoes?

Tag shoes is located in Centro Merida (calle 58 x 49 Centro Merida, Yucatan 97000). You can also place orders over their Facebook page  for local delivery. 

They also have very cool face masks in a variety of Mexican themed digital prints to even match your shoes. 

If you buy a pair of shoes tag us on Instagram with a picture of your new swag, we would love to see. And as always thanks for reading this and shopping local!