Dec. 19, 2022

A new outlet store from Fit My Feet opens today on the campus of The Empire Mall.

It’s located, appropriately, in a vacant building north of the mall that most recently was a Payless ShoeSource store.

“We’re trying out the concept,” owner Nick Kolterman said. “We have all this access to closeout lists, and we want to pass that savings back on to the consumer and get the shopper who wants to spend $60, $80, $100 on a good pair of shoes at a closeout price.”

The store will not be the same format as Feet My Feet, which also has a location nearby on Western Avenue and specializes in fitting, fabricating and adjusting footwear and therapeutic shoes or shoe modifications.

“The store manager is still very knowledgeable to help people if they ask about foot problems, but she can direct them to our corporate store for anything beyond self-service,” Kolterman said.

Shoppers will find about 2,500 pairs of men’s and women’s shoes, including casual boots and sandals. Most of the first inventory came from Fit My Feet stores, but more has been ordered, and the mix of merchandise will change often, Kolterman said.

“It’s name brands at deep discounts, like Hoka, New Balance, Brooks, Saucony, Alegria, Merrell, Keen,” he said. “It’s $150 retail shoes people can buy for $80.”

Hours will be 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.