Little's Shoes in Squirrel Hill is 'like walking into Cheers. Everyone knows your name' - TribLIVE |
- Little's Shoes in Squirrel Hill is 'like walking into Cheers. Everyone knows your name' - TribLIVE
- How to Clean Sneakers | Can You Put Shoes in the Dryer? - Runner's World
- All the Details About the Shoe Industry’s 2019 Breast Cancer Fundraiser - Footwear News
- Toms Shoes hacker just wants you to stop and smell the roses - Mashable
- Allbirds, a shoe brand born online, to double stores - Star Tribune
| Posted: 08 Oct 2019 04:05 AM PDT  Little's Shoes first opened its doors on Forbes Avenue in 1932. Three families and 87 years later, the store continues to thrive on a business model characteristic of Pittsburgh: kindness. The shoe store, located in Squirrel Hill, is one of the biggest on that retail block. The business offers dozens of different brands and is Pittsburgh's largest full-service family shoe store. Co-owners of the store, Justin Sigal, 39, and his father Joel Sigal rely on several techniques to make their business stand out among competitors like big-box discounters or Zappos, the online shoe retailer owned by Amazon. According to the Sigals, any customer can walk through the door and expect an experienced employee to welcome them, measure their foot and talk them through what they want out of a shoe and give recommendations based upon their needs. "When I go there it's like walking into Cheers. Everyone knows your name," said Carol Mannix, 64, who travels from West Mifflin to shop at Little's. "I could go to discount stores or shop online … but I like the human touch." Mannix has shopped at Little's for around 30 years. She appreciates how the staff is "very professional" and that they cater to customers' preferences. The Sigals said it's rare to find experienced salespeople who are willing to take the time to help customers and engage with them as friends. This business model allows the store to retain its loyal customer base and attract new ones at the same time. The store has been known to stock certain products based on specific customers' preferences. "When we go to buy, we always have (customers) in mind," Joel Sigal said. "Because I always say to people we love our customers. Our customers I think are the best customers anywhere anybody could have." The owners pride themselves on providing customers with a variety of shoes and international products. "We're ahead on product. You might get brands in here that you haven't heard of," said Justin Sigal. "We go to Europe and get a lot of brands from factories that you can't find anywhere. … If you Google them, you'll find our website or maybe a couple of our friends that carry them. But these aren't going to be brands that you're going to see anywhere else." Justin Sigal has plenty of experience in shoe business, as well as the shoe market in Europe. In high school, he worked five days a week in his father's stockroom. After finishing college, he worked in two separate shoe factories in Italy and Denmark. Justin Sigal has been at the store since the early 2000s, and he is the fourth generation in his family to pursue a business in shoes. His father, Joel Sigal, formerly operated a chain of shoe stores, J. Sigal Shoes, before purchasing Little's Shoes in 1985 from Jerry Slomoff. Slomoff had purchased the store from the Little family, the founders, in 1973. Joel Sigal's original plan was to continue expanding J. Sigal Shoes, which had locations in Squirrel Hill, Monroeville and Pleasant Hills at the time. He was later convinced that operating Little's would not only be profitable but was an essential part of Pittsburgh. "I felt it was an institution in the city," Joel Sigal said. Legacy endures not only in the Sigal family but resonates with their employees as well. Gerald "Jerry" Antoncic, 59, has worked at Little's for 40 years in sales. He sets up displays in the windows in addition to working the sales floor. Much of Antoncic's loyalty stems back to the Sigals' friendly and fair treatment of its workers. "Most definitely the owners of the store go well beyond the call of duty. It's just not strictly business. I mean, family matters," Antoncic said. "Going through a health crisis myself, or when my parents were sick. 'Whatever you need,' the Sigals said. They were there to help me every step of the way." Both the Sigals and Antoncic stated some customers go back four generations. With some customers, Antoncic even texts and calls to notify them of new deals. The appeal of the store that Antonic and the Sigals emphasized over anything else was the focus on relationships with their customers. Mannix said that Little's recently sent her flowers and a pair of sandals for being such a loyal customer. "Everyone should go there," Mannix said. "It's the greatest place on Earth."  |
| How to Clean Sneakers | Can You Put Shoes in the Dryer? - Runner's World Posted: 08 Oct 2019 07:12 AM PDT  Lakota Gambill We subject our running shoes to a lot: miles of gravelly pavement; rocky off-road terrain; dusty dirt trails; and sloppy puddles of mud or undefined urban liquids. Oof. And we pay a lot for these shoes, sometimes burning through multiple pairs in one training cycle. Our shoes are part of our identities. They are our most loyal and reliable running companions, and thus they're an investment worth taking care of—especially if you want to max out the 700 to 800 miles you can get out of some models these days. To really care for your pair, you might just need to use a little elbow grease to bring them back to life. Here's how to clean your running shoes to keep them looking so fresh and so clean. Can I just toss them in the washer and dryer?Seems like a good idea, but not so fast. "The constant tumbling could damage and/or jeopardize the integrity of the shoes," says Jason Angsuvarn, the founder of Jason Markk, a premium shoe care brand. (You can, however, toss those dirty laces in with the rest of your laundry.) The washing machine actually affects the structure of the foams in providing consistent cushioning or responsive feel, adds Victor Ornelas, director of brand management at Fleet Feet. "Midsoles constructed out of the traditional EVA foam—such as the ASICS Flytefoam Midsole or Hoka One One's midsole, which uses a proprietary EVA combination—are more sensitive to water," he explains. Midsoles constructed out of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)—such as the Adidas Boost or Saucony Everun technology—are more resilient, he says, but it's still not worth the risk. Extreme temperatures can also do some serious damage, which is why the dryer is a no-go, too, says Angsuvarn. "There's a good chance that the heat and constant tumbling will damage the foam along with causing misshaping," he says. Opt for air drying by removing the insoles and setting the shoes outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. The Problem: Road ScuffsThe Solution: Brush + Cleaning SolutionRoad scuffs pretty much come with the territory when you're pounding the pavement. "We recommend using our cleaning solution with a soft bristle brush on more delicate materials, like a mesh upper, or a stiff bristle brush on dense areas, like the midsoles and outsoles," says Angsuvarn. To get rid of a scuff on the upper, dip a brush into a shoe cleaning solution or a mixture of soap and water and then brush off the stain, says Raheem Rademaker, the founder of Brooklyn-based sneaker cleaning service Weekend Ritual. "Don't use anything with harsh chemicals, dyes, or fragrances, which can be damaging; go with a cleanser that's as natural as possible, like Seventh Generation detergent," he says. Once the scuff is gone, blot the area with a microfiber towel and let them air dry. FYI: If you have white running shoes—or stains on a white midsole or outsole—you can use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to wipe away the dirty spots, says Ornelas. "The cleaning pad is made out of melamine foam, which is gentle yet effective on destroying stains," he explains. "All you need to do is wet the melamine pad and start wiping the dirty areas of the shoe." But only use this product on white materials to avoid any chance of bleaching. Running Shoe Cleaning Supplies     The Problem: Grass Stains The Solution: Cleaning Solution + Microfiber TowelGrass stains are tough because they come from chlorophyll, the green pigment in the plant's juices, and that natural compound can bind to fibers of a fabric. To get them out, "mix one part vinegar and two parts water in a bucket for create a natural cleaning solution," says Rademaker. "Dab a towel into the mixture and blot the stain; then, clean the whole area with a cleaning solution like you'd use for the road scuffs." If that doesn't work right away, keep repeating until it the stain is gone. When you're blotting, don't just use any old cloth. "Use a microfiber towel with a bit of pressure to absorb and lift any stubborn stains," says Markk. "Microfiber towels are super absorbent to help dry the shoes fast, and the microscopic hooks in the towel help to lift any remaining dirt." The Problem: Trail Dirt/DustThe Solution: Brush + Baking Soda and Vinegar MixtureMesh and knit uppers are great for runners because they're breathable fabric, but the netting catches all the dirt and dust you kick up when you're running outside. To clean, first "use a soft bristle brush to dry brush the entire shoe to remove as much of the top layer of dirt/dust before wetting the shoe," says Markk. "Dry brushing before wetting the shoe is important, otherwise it will be 10 times more work!" Then it's time to soak the dirt away. "Mix together one part baking soda and one part vinegar in a bowl, dab it on the dirty area, and leave for about 15 minutes," says Ornelas. "This acid-based mixture eats through stubborn stains without affecting the fabric." Try to keep the mixture right on top of the dirty area so it doesn't turn straight-up muddy and spread. Finally, use your cleaning solution to clean the shoe, then blot and let air dry. The Problem: Coffee/External StainsThe Solution: Cold Water + Microfiber TowelIf you've got some kind of external stain on your kicks (looking at you, coffee drinkers), you need to treat it ASAP so the stain isn't absorbed into the material. "You can make a paste out of vinegar and baking soda," says Rademaker. "Let that paste sit on the stain for five to 10 minutes—the vinegar will break it down and the baking soda will soak up the excess moisture—then brush over the area with your cleaning solution. Check the urge to go totally HAM on that stain if your shoes are knit, though. "Knits are soft and pliable, which makes them more fragile than the other fabrics," says Ornelas. "Be as gentle to these shoes as you are to your clothes"—i.e. don't pull at or distort the shoe in your rush to get the stain out. Brush it gently with your cleaning solution, then let air dry. The Problem: Water/Rain MarksThe Solution: Water + Soft Bristle Brush + Microfiber TowelNo one wants to see a water line on their shoe reminding them of the time they totally misjudged the weather, the distance between the curb and dry pavement, or both. Fortunately, this is one of the easier stains to remove. "You don't need any mixture or solution, you just want to re-wet the entire shoe," says Rademaker. "Don't drench it or dunk it, but wet a brush and wipe around the whole shoe, like the brush is a sponge or wet cloth, to get the sneaker evenly wet and really lathered up." That helps prevent you from staring at a soggy pair of shoes for the next week, as does "using a microfiber towel with a bit of pressure to dab and twist the entire upper of the shoe," says Markk. "This will help for the shoe to dry and unify the color." The Problem: MudThe Solution: Soft Bristle Brush + Cleaning SolutionDon't rush on this one. "This may come as a surprise, but if you allow the mud to dry before attempting to clean, it may be easier to clean," says Markk. "Once the mud has dried, dry brush the shoe with a soft bristle brush. If it's a ton of mud, you may need to use a stiffer bristle brush and a little more elbow grease." Brushing away the top layer will clear the way to dig in on any actual mud stains below. Again, you don't need a special solution here—just your average cleaning solution. "Brush the muddy spot with the cleaning solution, then let it air dry and see how much is left," says Rademaker. "You might need two to three rounds of treatment, so just repeat until it's gone." Design: Colin McSherry  |
| All the Details About the Shoe Industry’s 2019 Breast Cancer Fundraiser - Footwear News Posted: 08 Oct 2019 06:15 AM PDT Over the past quarter century, the Fashion Footwear Association of New York and the QVC network have worked hand in hand to help find a cure for breast cancer by raising money for first-step research. Now, as the QVC Presents "FFANY Shoes on Sale" fundraiser heads into its 26th year, the organizers are placing a renewed focus on strategic giving rather than celebrity star power. John Heron, who took the helm of FFANY in January, told FN, "I'm trying to make the event more about the work that we do and the money that we are raising. I wanted to shift the tone. The focus is on the charity and the more than $57 million raised over the last 25 years. We are keeping it more real. We got lost in what the purpose was and what we were all in the room for." At this year's gala, on Oct. 10 at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York, emphasis will be placed on where the money is going, how far the research has come and the impact it has had on patients. Some of the beneficiaries for 2019 include Penn Medicine Abramson Cancer Center, Cedars-Sinai Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, John Wayne Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center and, for the first time, the Cancer Vaccine Institute at the University of Washington. Leading the charge on this front is former FFANY president Ron Fromm, who is now chair of the nonprofit's philanthropic arm, the Fashion Footwear Charitable Foundation of New York. He said, "We give money to the scientific minds with a strong belief that they are on to something special." Fromm added that because of FFANY's donations from the beginning, doctors and researchers have received more than $300 million in additional government and private grants, based on the work funded by FFANY.  Ron Fromm leads FFANY's philanthropic arm, the Fashion Footwear Charitable Foundation of New York. CREDIT: Mark Von Holden/Shutterstock An area that has specifically seen progress in helping to cure breast cancer is vaccines, according to Fromm. That treatment approach is a major focus for Shoes on Sale this year, which is why the University of Washington became a beneficiary. Mary L. 'Nora' Disis, director of the university's Cancer Vaccine Institute, explained, "We are the largest academic group dedicated to developing vaccines for cancer prevention, as well as cancer recurrence. Our goal has always been to develop vaccines for women who are at high risk of developing breast cancer so that they may never develop it. These flexible funds will support pilot research so that we can move quickly when we have a new promising project." While this year's Shoes on Sale will focus on the medical work and personal stories of survivors, Heron is also determined to maximize the efficiency of the dollars spent, which is why attendees at the gala will see some changes. For instance, in lieu of a designer shoe salon, there will be a virtual version powered by Zappos to help drive sales and reduce costs. Upon arrival at the Ziegfeld Ballroom, guests will be able to select from an assortment of over 60 designer styles on display throughout the venue, which can be purchased for half off using a unique code from Zappos.com. "All sales will be fulfilled and shipped by Zappos, and net proceeds of purchases will be directed to the charitable efforts," said Jeff Espersen, VP of merchandising at the e-tailer. He explained that evolving the selling strategy was top of mind for FFANY. "The problem with the traditional model was that it required a tremendous amount of staffing, space and logistical resources that actually cost the charity tens of thousands of dollars to execute each year," said Espersen. "This solution is a great opportunity [for Zappos] to play a bigger role in this event and make the evening more efficient by adding our digital and logistical expertise to the effort."  The FFANY Shoes on Sale gala will again be held at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York. CREDIT: Mark Von Holden/Shutterstock Other brands participating in the cause are the Pink Benefactors, who contributed at least $500,000 worth of merchandise to the fundraiser. They include Caleres, Marc Fisher Footwear and Designer Brands Inc. (whose CEO, Roger Rawlins, will also attend the gala to accept the Company of the Year Award from FFANY, see page 28 for more). The footwear donated by the Pink Benefactors, along with 40 other brands, will be featured not only on Zappos but also QVC.com, as well as on QVC's live, three-hour Shoes on Sale broadcast, which will also take place on Oct. 10. Heron noted that the quality of the assortment donated this year has been impressive. Marc Fisher, founder and CEO of his eponymous shoe company, has been a longtime Shoes on Sale contributor. He told FN, "[We] are incredibly proud of the amount of money that has been raised ever since the inception of this event, which was started by the Fisher family in Central Park in 1993. Every effort counts. The mission is to find a cure. At Marc Fisher Footwear, we have committed several of our brands to the cause because we know this horrible disease touches so many lives, including many of our customers. The hope is that the money we raise for research will accelerate the advancement of a cure." And it's because of QVC that the gala has been so successful, according to Heron. "Without QVC, we wouldn't be able to raise this money," he said. "They are our link to consumers, and without that link, we wouldn't be able to turn the donations of shoes into money for charity." The retail network joined the cause in 1994, and to recognize its 25-year commitment, QVC will be honored by FFANY with the Jodi & Jerome Fisher Humanitarian Award during the show. In addition to QVC and Designer Brands Inc., FFANY is also set to recognize Rebecca Minkoff at the gala with the Designer of the Year award (see page 40), while Jamie Salter, founder, chairman and CEO of Authentic Brands Group, will be honored with the Influential Figure in Fashion award (see page 36 for more). "This started as a genuine concern from the footwear industry on how to solve a problem that's near and dear to every one: curing breast cancer," added Heron. "There's so much uncertainty in the world right now and it is important to take the focus back and say what are we here for." Want More? Celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month With Gear From These Brands That Give Back FFANY Shoes on Sale Through the Years Martha Stewart Recalls FFANY Shoes on Sale's Incredible Origins Watch on FN |
| Toms Shoes hacker just wants you to stop and smell the roses - Mashable Posted: 07 Oct 2019 10:37 AM PDT  You're all just digital slaves, man. That appears to be the thinking of whoever commandeered TOMS Shoes' email over the weekend and sent out a message imploring customers to, for the love of god, just close their laptops for a goddamn minute. "hey you, don't look at a digital screen all day, theres a world out there that you're missing out on," reads a screenshot of the email shared on Twitter. "just felt like some people needed that ^^(:" TOMS confirmed the incident on Sunday, writing that some form of "unauthorized activity" took place via the company's email and social media. "We are aware of unauthorized activity through our communications channels including email and social media," the company wrote. "We are actively looking into the matter. In the meantime, please do not click on any links or reply to it."
And yeah, with an email subject line like "Toms hacked by nice man" we can see how customers might need to be warned off replying to this gentle internet soul. We reached out to the hacker, who identified themself as "nathan" via the contact information listed in the aforementioned email. We received no response as of publication of this story. Which, frankly, makes sense. We imagine that whoever "nathan" really is, they're probably outside — computer free — enjoying a fine fall day. Can't say we blame them.  |
| Allbirds, a shoe brand born online, to double stores - Star Tribune Posted: 08 Oct 2019 07:41 AM PDT  NEW YORK — Online shoe brand Allbirds plans to more than double its store count next year, hoping to reach shoppers who want to touch and try on its wool shoes. The company said Tuesday that it plans to open 20 stores in 2020, bringing its total number of stores to about 35 by the end of the year. While big box stores are closing locations, online startups like mattress seller Casper and men's clothing brand Untuckit are expanding into brick-and-mortar stores. Allbirds said it can't ignore stores since most footwear sales are still happening there. Plus, the stores help explain the unusual materials used in its shoes, such as wool, tree fiber and sugar cane. "The idea of being able to touch, feel and understand the quality of what we're putting into our products is pretty important," said Allbirds co-CEO Tim Brown. Founded five years ago, Allbirds have found its way onto the feet of tech CEOs and movie stars. (Actor Leonardo DiCaprio is an investor.) It opened its first store a year after launching in its hometown of San Francisco. The store expansion will bring it into cities where it's never been, including Atlanta, Dallas and Denver. Allbirds said all its U.S. stores have been profitable within two months of opening.  |
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