orthoshoes

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The Quiet Retirement of Two Siblings Who Changed Comfort Footwear Forever

After decades of craftsmanship, James and Susan are closing their workshop for good and opening it to the public one final time.

For more than three decades, siblings James and Susan quietly built comfort shoes for women in a small workshop, far removed from mass production and marketing hype. Their work was known mainly to podiatrists and physical therapists who discovered it through word of mouth.

James (right) and Susan (left) in their workshop. Picture by Jim Goldberg for New York News

Susan spent most of her days talking with women who stood on their feet all day, hearing the same complaints again and again. James worked as a footwear engineer, developing materials designed to support real movement. Despite their different careers, both kept running into the same problem. Even expensive shoes stiffened, offered no real arch support, or simply weren't built for how women actually move.

“I kept buying shoe after shoe that promised comfort and support,” Susan said. “And at some point you start wondering why nothing is actually built for how feet really work.”

James (right) and Susan (left) in their early twenties, experimenting with their first prototype shoes in a small workshop. Picture by Frank Miller, circa 1985.

A different kind of comfort shoe

Years ago, the siblings began experimenting on their own. Susan tested every prototype on real women, gathering feedback after full days of wear, while James focused on the structure and support itself. A cushioned, flexible sole with built-in arch support quickly stood out.

Unlike most modern shoes, this design does not rely on rigid inserts or stiff orthopedic-looking soles to provide real support. "The big brands only care about margins, not comfort." Susan says.

The sole holds its shape wear after wear, does not flatten out, and stays gentle on the joints. For James and Susan, that combination of support and comfort was essential.

Each pair took hours to make and finish by hand. There was no outsourcing and no mass production. The siblings deliberately kept their operation small, preferring control and consistency over rapid growth. “If we could not make it properly, we would rather not make it at all,” James said.

James (right) and Susan (left) working on early prototypes. Picture by Jane, 2006.

Quiet success over the years

For years, Harris Shop grew slowly and quietly. The siblings never chased trends or scale. Their shoes were worn by women who valued reliability over novelty, often recommending them to friends after years of use.

Customers frequently kept the same pair for years without needing a replacement. “These are the shoes you stop thinking about,” one longtime customer said. “They just work, year after year.” The success was never flashy, but it was steady.

Without advertising campaigns or large retail partnerships, the workshop remained busy enough to sustain itself for decades.

Why are they closing now?

Three weeks ago, James and Susan made the decision to retire. The choice was not driven by declining demand. Interest in their shoes remains strong. But the siblings say age played a decisive role. The work is detailed and demanding, and after decades of enjoying the craft, they felt the time had come to stop.

“We have always loved doing this,” James said. “But you reach a point where you know it is time to slow down.”

Rather than outsource production or change the way their shoes were made, they chose to end the workshop on their own terms.

James (right) and Susan (left) in their workshop. Picture by Jim Goldberg for New York News

This is the right moment

Stories like this are becoming rare. In an industry driven by speed, synthetics, and disposability, James and Susan chose a different path and stayed on it for decades.

They are not asking anyone to save their business. That decision has already been made. The workshop will close for good. What they are offering is the chance to own a pair of shoes made the old way, by two people who cared deeply about what they built.

The final Harris Shop collection will remain available only until the remaining inventory is sold. After that, the workshop doors will close permanently. As a final thank-you, every order also includes free insured shipping.

Take a closer look at their webshop

Your chance to own one of James and Susan's last creations.

VISIT JAMES & SUSAN'S WEBSHOP

Free Insured Shipping

I refuse to take these off! They're so supportive and comfortable, and I never feel unsteady even on my hardwood floors.

Jessica T.

verified customer

My friends keep asking where I got these — they love the color and can't believe how supportive they feel. I've worn them every day for a month without a single sore spot.

Monica Danham

verified customer

Finally, shoes that don't leave marks on my feet. My arches feel supported all day, with none of the stiffness I used to feel by evening.

Rachel

verified customer

These shoes have completely changed my daily walks. I never feel unsteady anymore, and they're so easy to keep clean after being out all day.

Perry Foster

verified customer

VISIT JAMES & SUSAN'S WEBSHOP