Peyton Ballinger apprenticed at Dean's Shoe Factory in Alexandria before opening his own King Street shop in 1834. Ballinger, joined by his three sons and grandson as his business flourished,manufactured custom fitted boots and shoes until 1888. Philip Bradshaw entered the business in 1880 and later became the proprietor. Bradshaw's Shoe Store remained at 508-12 King Street until 1968, when the block was cleared for urban renewal. The shop remains open in other Alexandria locations.

In 1850, Ballinger's thriving business produced 9000 pairs of boots and shoes. Of the nine local shoemakers, Ballinger was the third largest producer and paid the third highest wages. Nineteen men and ten women were employed that year. The men were paid an average wage of $10.50 per moth, while female employees received $5.00.

The urban renewal project which replaced the shoe store and neighboring shops with the new Alexandria Courthouse brought an opportunity for archaeological excavation in 1977. Men and boys' shoes and boots dating to the 1860's were among the artifacts excavated from a well behind Ballinger's shop.