The 42-year-old, second-generation family business retails fashionable footwear for women and young girls.
By Matt Skoufalos | April 25, 2024
The Shoe Factory opens in the Audubon Crossings shopping center in Audubon. Credit: Matt Skoufalos.
For 42 years, Shoe Factory, Inc. operated on the corner of Castor and Tyson Avenues in Northeast Philly.
Now the family behind the business is relocating its operations to the other side of the Delaware River.
“We were an institution in that neighborhood,” Amanda Greenstein said, “but that neighborhood changed a lot.
“We all live in South Jersey; we wanted to bring it to South Jersey.
Amanda’s father, Mark Greenstein, founded the company in 1982; it grew to as many as 40 locations under its former brand, New York City Shoes, until he struck out on his own with the Castor Avenue location.
Amanda came aboard in 2009 after a prior career in sports marketing. Her mother, Chesco Manucci-Kulik, has been a partner in the business since 2001.
The Greensteins, who hail from Cherry Hill, believe Shoe Factory will find its footing among value-conscious shoppers in the Audubon Crossings center.
“We really wanted to fill a niche that we think is underserved here,” she said. “We’re all about keeping the ladies of South Jersey looking good at an affordable price.”
The Shoe Factory brand is built on high-volume, affordable footwear for women and young girls. Most pairs are priced at $19.99 or less; no item the store has gone for more than $44.99 (and in boot season, Amanda Greenstein said).
Amanda Greenstein and Chesco Minucci-Kulik of The Shoe Factory of Audubon. Credit: Matt Skoufalos.
The business maintains a constantly changing rotation of inventory, with as many as 10,000 pairs of shoes on-hand when the store is fully stocked.
From sneakers, sandals, and clogs to prom and dress shoes, the business follows footwear trends closely.
“You can always go somewhere and find cute clothes at an affordable price; you can’t always find cute shoes,” Amanda Greenstein said.
“Women want shoes for every outfit that we buy; our store goes from dressy to casual to great sneakers.”
Shoe Factory of South Jersey will host its grand opening Saturday, April 27, with giveaways, refreshments, promotional deals, and more.
“I’m so excited to be here,” Amanda Greenstein said. “We really love the small-town feel.”
Shoe Factory is located at 130 Black Horse Pike, Suite 300, in the Audubon Crossings shopping center (on the endcap next to Great Clips). The store is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call 856-559-4095 or visit the business on Facebook.
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