A Lasting Footprint: Ridgewood’s ‘Just Our Shoes’ to Close After 43 Iconic Years
photo courtesy of Boyd Loving
Ridgewood NJ, In the heart of Ridgewood, New Jersey, a chapter of local history is drawing to a close. After more than four decades of outfitting the community in comfort and style, Just Our Shoes has announced it will shutter its final doors.
The story of owners Marty (78) and Wendy Green (76) is more than just a business—it’s a 58-year romance that traveled from the rock-and-roll stages of the 1960s to the premier storefronts of Bergen County.
From ‘The Germz’ to the Garden State’s Favorite Cobblers
Before they were the faces of North Jersey retail, the Greens were high school sweethearts in a rock band called The Germz. In 1967, they even had a hit song, “No Easy Way Down,” written by Marty’s cousin (who was once married to the legendary Carole King).
Their transition from the music business to the shoe business—a “one-letter jump,” as they joke—began as a side hustle at New Jersey flea markets. What started as selling shoes out of the back of a van eventually grew into a five-store mini-empire known for high-end brands like HOKA, Dansko, and Naot.
The Personal Touch in a Digital World
For the Green family, Just Our Shoes was never just about a transaction. Along with their children, Matt and Amy, and long-time managers Lisa King and Maribel Soto, the shop became a community hub where:
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Expert Fitting: Customers received one-on-one consultations to find the perfect shoe for their unique foot shape.
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Family Atmosphere: Visitors were often greeted by a parade of family dogs.
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Generational Loyalty: The staff and customers remained on a first-name basis for decades.
Why the Doors are Closing
Like many local boutiques, the pandemic shifted the landscape. Despite a loyal following and a successful website, the “Amazon effect” and the massive reach of giants like Zappos made it increasingly difficult for a family-owned brick-and-mortar shop to compete.
“Retail has changed dramatically,” says their son, Matt Green. “While we’ve worked hard to evolve, the shift to online shopping and broader market pressures ultimately made it difficult to continue.”
Final Winding Down
The Westwood location has already closed, and the flagship Ridgewood store is expected to close within the next few months as they sell through their remaining inventory.
For Marty and Wendy, this isn’t just a business closing—it’s the beginning of a new retirement chapter focused on the very thing they sold for 43 years: comfort.
Key Details for Shoppers
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Location: Ridgewood, NJ (Main Store)
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Status: Closing soon; inventory liquidation currently underway.
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Legacy: 43 years in business, 58 years of marriage, and 529 wins for the community (in spirit!).
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Tags: #RidgewoodNJ #BergenCounty #SmallBusiness #ShopLocal #JustOurShoes #NewJerseyNews #RetailHistory #NorthJersey
Zappos is a Bezos operation. I have boycotted it for many years.
How many more stores will this greedy council and land lords run out of town?