Zapateria-La Familiar, or Family Shoe Store, 16 E. Main St., Cortez, is officially open for business.
The stores owner, Beatrice Arvizo, decided to open the store after years of having friends admire the kinds of shoes she wore.
I love shoes. And everybody says, Oh, I love your shoes, where can I get them? Arvizo said from behind the retail counter at her store on the morning of Saturday, Dec. 17.
After several years of selling shoes out of her home and at flea markets, Arvizo decided to open a shoe store on Main Street in Cortez for people of all ages.
The store has infant, toddler, boys, girls, womens and mens sizes.
Varieties include athletic styles, including high tops, sneakers and athletic boots, and dress shoes, such as mens Mexican boots and womens high-heel pumps and strappy sandals, boots and flats. Family Shoe Store also offers a wide range of cozy, house slippers that come in both childrens and adult sizes.
The stores most popular shoe is a Converse-like, athletic, lace-up boot.
These are selling like theyre going out of style, said Arvizos sister-in-law, Annette Carrasco, while lifting one of the black boots from the stores front window.
Family Shoe Store also sells a variety of accessories, such as purses, wallets, belts, hair adornments and nail polish.
And if we dont have something, we can order it, Carrasco said. The store is a family affair, with Carrasco and Carrascos 3-year-old daughter, Elfida, around to help with sales.
Arvizo is originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, and has lived in Cortez for 18 years. She calls her sense of style contemporary.
Prior to opening the store, Arvizo worked as a homemaker with her husband and 18- and 16-year-old sons.
Well, I have to wake up very early in the morning and its hard, Arvizo said about what its like to be a small-business owner. My youngest son helps me at home, and my oldest son helps with the business.
Arvizo closes the shoe store Mondays to have time to pay her bills and make doctor appointments, Carrasco said.
A lot of people ask us why were closed on Mondays, Carrasco said. To me it makes sense.
The store is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays.
For more information, call the Family Shoe Store, or Zapateria-La Familiar, at 564-3119.
Reach Nathalie Winch at nathaliew@cortezjournal.com.