Gene Carroccia took control of Bobby's Shoe Store in 2001 after a 36 year career at the Chrysler assembly plant in Belvidere. Gene's father, Bobby had operated the store since 1947. As a young man, Bobby imigrated to the USA from Italy. He joined the army and was stationed at Camp Grant in Rockford. After leaving the armed forces he opened the store in Marengo where he sold the Redwing brand in addition to repairing footwear. Today, Bobby's Shoe Store features the Redwing and Carhartt brands and also carries Worx shoes and boots.