Good for the Sole is a local shoe store owned by Kelly Tabor with a small-town community feel and shoes that really are “good for the sole.”
Tabor caters to the college crowd, offering all of the hottest shoes for students and a discount for those with a student ID.
The majority of the shoes sold at Good for the Sole are more casual, but the store also carries a smaller selection of formal shoes, featuring a nice selection of brands like Jack Rogers, Rainbow, Reef, Birkenstock and Sperry. Bags and accessories are also offered, and the upstairs of the store is home to shoes on clearance.
In addition to the wide selection, the store boasts a friendly staff that provides for a comfortable experience. With Tabor’s warm personality and charm, it’s easy to get lost between the shelves.
Tabor and his sister, Kathi Williamson, had been in the shoe business for 10 and 30 years, respectively, when they found a shop in downtown Five Points that was going out of business. It was the perfect time to open a store in a great location. With only one day to come up with a name and meet with a lawyer, Tabor’s sister and a friend sat around a table with glasses of wine and came up with the store’s clever name. Thus, Good for the Sole was born.
Tabor runs the store along with three other employees and his miniature schnauzer Peppy.
Peppy, Kabor said, can be found at Good for the Sole every day, adds to the local store’s personality.
“His job is to greet people, and he takes his job very seriously,” Tabor said.
Tabor is looking into teaming up with local organizations to host percent nights on the first Friday of every month, where food and drinks will be served and 10 percent of sales will go back to the organization.
He has also opened his store up to local artists, like USC professor Bonita Strickland, allowing them to display their work for sale. He does not charge for wall space, and artists can keep any money they make on their pieces.
Good For The Sole Shoes is located at 631-D Harden St. and is open Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The store also has a Facebook page where there are regular updates about new products, sales and events.
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