By Richard Zowie
Leader Staff Writer
Offering great shoes at affordable prices is the goal of Oxford Family Shoes (18. N. Washington St.), downtown’s newest business.
The store, which opened Jan. 17, features athletic shoes like Nike and New Balance as well as brands like Jante, Pierre Dumas, Nomad and Nature Breeze. They will soon carry Adidas and Puma.
‘These are affordable shoes that look real nice and are of a good quality,? explained Susan Kaye, who co-owns Oxford Family Shoes along with her daughter Crystalrose McKay.
Kaye, who owns four other businesses in the area, decided to open a shoe store after hearing about how people in Oxford had to travel to Great Lakes Crossing for the nearest shoe store.
Besides athletic shoes, Oxford Family Shoes sells other kinds of shoes such as casual and dress.
Due to the store’s opening in the middle of winter, Kaye decided not to offer boots.
‘We held off on ordering the winter boots and shoes, assuming most people who want them would have them already,? she explained. ‘We’ve ordered the summer shoes instead.?
The store is also working with Oxford Schools to provide shoes for the high school’s baseball, football and soccer teams. For customers who are part of Oxford Schools, 2 percent of their purchases will go back to provide shoes for the teams.
Besides shoes, Kaye expects to to offer purses, belts, sunglasses, different women’s accessories and some men’s accessories.
Being competitive in prices is imperative in a struggling economy, according to Kaye.
‘I believe we’re offering affordable family shoes for any budget,? McKay added. ‘We’re a family and we want to be part of Oxford’s family. Now that you’ve met our family, let us meet your’s.?
Oxford Family Shoes is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays (during the winter months) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, call 248-628-0887.