| Eneslow | |
| Foundation: | 1909 |
| Location: | New York City, New York, United States |
| Area Served: | United States |
| Key People: | Robert S. Schwartz |
| Industry: | Design and manufacture of shoes and foot products |
| Products: | Ready-made shoes, custom shoes, foot products, custom orthotics |
| Num Employees: | 55 (2010) |
| Revenue: | US$ 8 million (2009) |
| Homepage: | www.eneslow.com/ |
Eneslow (pronounced N-S-LOW,) is a chain of shoe stores in New York City founded by the Low family in 1909. They are America’s largest pedorthic retailer.[1] In addition to its retail stores, Eneslow also manages the Eneslow Pedorthic Institute, a pedorthic education and training program.
Eneslow, originally known N.S. Low, was founded by Edward and Nellie Stone Low in 1909, selling trusses surgical products and shoes on Avenue A. In 1914, Nat Low joined Edward Low, and the business was incorporated. The shoe department flourished and by 1926 the shoe department became so big they decided to make it its own company – Eneslow. The shoe department introduction had been possible because Sol joined Eneslow. The same year, Eneslow moved to 220 East 23rd Street.
By the 1940s, the company had attracted the attention of Paul Schwartz, who was a custom orthotics maker, and who owned the wholesale business Apex Foot Health Industries, which sold foot products, particularly orthotics and arch supports. As a wholesaler, he sold his products to Eneslow. His goal was to have a package of feet, orthotics and shoes as a one-stop shop.
In 1968, Paul and Charles Schwartz bought the company Eneslow and moved its headquarters to 695 6th Avenue. At that time, Eneslow had two other locations, one in Brooklyn since 1949 and one in the Bronx since 1937. In 1973, Robert S. Schwartz joined Eneslow after a 10-year career in sales and marketing. In 1975, Robert S. Schwartz and his brother Richard B. Schwartz, each owned 50 percent of Eneslow and Apex. By the mid-1980s, when he and his brother, Richard, split the company he became the sole owner of the retail division and turned Eneslow into a regional chain with eight stores. But when New York State slashed Medicaid reimbursements for medical shoes and orthotics, the company lost 50 percent of its business and Schwartz shut all but his flagship store located at 924 Broadway, NYC.
In 1983, the two businesses – Eneslow and Apex – were split; Robert S. Schwartz bought out Richard B. Schwartz to get full ownership. In 1985, Eneslow bought Classic Mold Shoe Company, makers of custom molded and custom orthopedic dress shoes and sandals and merged it into the company. In 1995, Eneslow Pedorthic Institute (EPI) was founded by Dr. Justin Wernick, DPM and Robert S. Schwartz, C.Ped.[1]
In 2003, the company bought a retail store from Selby Fifth Avenue at Horace Harding Expressway in Little Neck, Queens; changed its name to Eneslow and opened its second store. In 2006, the company moved its long-time 924 Broadway headquarters location[2] to Park Avenue South at 32nd Street. In 2009 Eneslow opened a third store on the Upper East Side of Manhattan on Second Avenue between 78th and 79th streets.[3]
In 2016, Michael and Rachel Schwartz – son and daughter of Robert Schwartz – are in the business with him, and as the next generation of Schwartz's are celebrating both 50 years of Schwartz Family ownership and 110 years of Eneslow. In 2019 Eneslow opened its current flagship location at 1319 Third Avenue between 75th and 76th Street.
Eneslow's education efforts mainly target two audiences:
Eneslow is a supporter of the charity Soles4Souls. Eneslow also provides free footwear, socks, and insoles for relief workers, disaster victims, and the homeless.