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History of Bennie's Shoes
Mr. Bennie came to Atlanta in 1909 from the Isle of Rhodes, through Ellis Island, at the age of 16.
He opened his first shoe repair shop at Marietta and Techwood (across from where Phillips Arena is today).
Three years later he moved to Broad & Marietta where the Commerce Building stands today.
In 1920 he married Matilda, the girl he was betrothed to as a child, and together they raised three sons, Jack, Hymie and Louie.
Each son learned their shoe repair craft from their father after school and on weekends, until military service called.
Jack served in World War II, Hymie in Korea, and Louie 1957 - 1959.
When their military service was over, they each returned to Atlanta, opened shoe repair shops, and started their own families.
In 1970 Louie got 365 pairs of Johnston & Murphy factory reject shoes and sold them at his Broadview Plaza shop (now called Lindbergh Plaza).
Business grew so quickly that by 1973, Jack and Hymie were at Broadview full time.
The transition from repairing shoes to selling shoes at BENNIE'S had begun and in 35 years BENNIE'S has become the #1 Men's Shoe Store in the southeast.
The shoe repair shop is probably the oldest shoe shop not only in Atlanta, but also in the south.
In 2009 they will be celebrating 100 years in business.
There are now three BENNIE'S SHOES Stores in the Atlanta area and they carry over 40 brands, all of the finest quality, at discount prices.
In September of 2003 the store at Lindbergh Plaza moved across the street to Buckhead Crossing shopping center.
The Norcross store has been at its same location since 1982, and most recently our Smyrna location was moved to Kennesaw.
BENNIE'S SHOES has evolved into another era ~
Jack retired in 1987 and his son Mark became a full partner with Hymie and Louie.
Louie's son Brian runs the Norcross store and his daughter Stephanie is Office Manager.
BENNIE'S SHOES ~ An Atlanta Tradition Since 1909!
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