This entry was posted on February 9, 2015 by Kristen.
As featured in our last blog, we’re a little food-obsessed at Abbadabba’s. But how can we not be when we have such a dynamic and exciting “food scene” here in Atlanta? We could pick a different restaurant in which to eat everyday for a month, and still not run out of options.
A healthy restaurant industry brings with it thousands of jobs to Birkenstock, Profi-BirkiAtlanta and the surrounding communities. As these employees spend long hours each day on their feet working in kitchens, behind bars, and serving the front-of-house, they need good, supportive footwear to provide them comfort and support. And for years these employees have been coming to Abbadabba’s to find just that sort of support. To thank this industry for its decades of support, we not only want to continue offering “supportive” footwear, but we want to give them financial support by partnering with The Giving Kitchen. The Giving Kitchen (TGK) is a nonprofit charity based in Atlanta, GA inspired by an overwhelming expression of support from the hospitality industry when Atlanta chef Ryan Hidinger was diagnosed with last stage cancer in December 2012. From helping with the cost of living expenses to funeral arrangements, TGK provides emergency assistance to members of the metro Atlanta restaurant community. This entry was posted in Atlanta, Birkenstock, Dansko, Giving Back, Klogs, Our Customers, Restaurant Shoes, Sanita and tagged Atlanta, Abbadabba's Gives Back, Kitchen Shoes, The Giving Kitchen on February 9, 2015 by Kristen.
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This entry was posted on January 31, 2015 by Kristen. Atlanta shoe-store chain, Abbadabba’s, was started by Janice Abernethy (it’s her high school nickname) while husband-to-be Bill Carmichael was finishing up school at Emory University. The business started off as a tiny little crafts shop near Emory’s law school in the 1970s, later expanding into a booth at the Atlanta Flea Market, which was unfortunately displaced by MARTA’s rail station on Piedmont Road. After trying other flea markets, in 1981 Janice opened her first “real” store in Little 5 Points, Atlanta’s “alternative” neighborhood (one part Berkeley, two parts Greenwich Village, a splash of Coconut Grove and toss with Tara.) The original Little 5 Points store was a flea market in itself: toys, cards, gifts, jewelry, and some “funny looking shoes” in the back. In 1986, Bill left a career at Georgia-Pacific to join Janice full time, and the decision was made to focus on footwear. Within a year, shoes accounted for most of our sales. As Little 5 and its surrounding neighborhoods were rebirthed by urban pioneers in the early 1980s, the business, and its reputation for shoes that made sense, grew. In 1988, so did Janice, who gave birth to their daughter, Abba Charice Carmichael, on September 8, 1988. In the ensuing decades the business grew, and Abbadabba’s opened several more stores throughout metro Atlanta. They may have started off as a quirky, catch-all “gift shop-come-shoe store,” but their popularity and evolution into Atlanta’s premier source for innovative and comfort footwear took hold. Today there are four Atlanta locations, as well as an online store coolshoes.com. Abbadabba’s customer base is diverse as Atlanta, itself. Customers range from the young and hip, urban to suburban, aging hippies who have shopped the store for 4 decades, to Baby Boomers and soccer moms from the ‘burbs. It’s an eclectic family from its staff, its customers and the surrounding communities of each store. To quote one of Abbadabba’s store managers, Ian Franco, (speaking to a customer) “We’re one big family here. And now you’re a part of it, too!” As the customer base is diverse and eclectic, so is the shoe selection. As the focus of the store shifted to footwear, Abbadabba’s found its niche as an innovative and comfort shoe store. They were the first to introduce “European-style comfort shoes” to Atlanta and the surrounding Southeast region. They were one of the first retailers to stock Dansko footwear, and it has remained one of its top five brands for the past few decades. One of the biggest consumers of their Dansko clogs are the employees of the ever-growing -- and quite renowned -- Atlanta restaurant scene. Atlanta has been named one of the top “food town destinations” in the US by Huffington Post and has been featured in many national publications from the New York Times to Bon Appetit. Abbadabba’s has been a proud supporter of its local food service industry “from the ground up” - or “feet up”, rather! - by carrying shoes that are perfect for those long hours in the kitchen. {Photo Credit, bottom left: Lauren Holley via Flickr, license] What better way to share the enthusiasm and support for Atlanta’s vibrant food scene than giving you 5 ways to “eat your way through Atlanta”!
1. Check out Eater Atlanta’s “Eater 38” for a list of the top 38 restaurants in Atlanta, updated regularly. Some favorites include: Bocca Lupo, Cakes & Ale, Holeman & Finch, Muss & Turners, and St. Cecilia 2. Visit Southern Living’s #1 Best New Restaurant of 2014: Kimball House 3. Visit Bon Appetit’s Top 10 Restaurant of 2013: The Optimist 4. Take a stroll through Krog Street Market, a foodie’s paradise of food stalls and sit-down restaurants 5. Shop one of the many farmers markets throughout the year for locally-sourced produce and homemade eats We hope you can check out all that Atlanta has to offer - both in shoe selection and good eats! And if you can’t make it to Atlanta, you can always shop Abbadabba’s Dansko selection, as well as all their offerings, online at coolshoes.com. [Photo Credit: Atl10Trader via Flickr, license] Thank you for spotlighting us, Dansko! This entry was posted in About Abbadabba's, Atlanta, Dansko, Travel and tagged Bill Carmichael, Janice Abernethy, Little 5 Points on January 31, 2015 by Kristen. This entry was posted on November 1, 2014 by Jessica. Like a lot of folks born and raised in the ATL, Abbadabba’s has been on my radar for most of my life. In middle school, rumors of the coolest shoe store situated in one of the edgiest neighborhoods started flying around. By the time I got to high school, those whisperings had escalated to full blown shouts as tales of Converse, Vans, Birkenstock, and the most coveted shoe of all, Dr. Martens, all available under one roof, reached fever pitch. Kids skipped school to check out the neighborhood, and to come back with prized purchases (hidden from parents, natch) to be shown off the next day to much fanfare. “So and so got Docs” would fly through the ranks, and all us jealous kids would crane our necks to get a peek at the coolest shoes in school. See, it was more than just a boot or a brand. Back in the late 80’s and 90’s, if you saw someone else in a pair chances were you guys stood on common ground. Wearing Docs transmits a lot of info about the person wearing them without a word being spoken- artistic, music lover, socially conscious, a little (or a lot) rebellious. I HAD to have a pair! I think it took over a year of bargaining with my mom to convince her that I desperately needed these boots. I can still hear the arguments- “Think of the money you’ll save because you’ll NEVER have to buy me another pair of shoes. These will last forever! I can wear them everywhere!” And her response- “Those are so ugly and heavy looking. At least you’ll build up some leg muscle.” And with that I knew victory, and a pair of Dr. Martens, was mine! We made the trek to Little 5 Points from our tiny suburban apartment and my mom, a long-time resident of Atlanta, pointed out the places she used to live around the neighborhood. I had never known she used to live in Little 5, so this gave me a new perspective on her and the life she had before she had me. Mom was, well, cool! We parked and walked around, stopping to look in Crystal Blue, and laughing at a restaurant called Eat Your Vegetables, housed in a place that would, ironically, later become the Vortex, famous for its burgers and take no nonsense attitude. Directly across the street from the laid back eatery was Abbadabba’s. Boom! Back then it was quite a bit smaller than the store is today. The whole neighborhood smelled like patchouli and Nag Champa, the classic incense, and Abbadabba’s was no exception. I wish I could say that I remember more about the interior. 25 years between now and then renders details a little hazy, but I do remember the walls being lined with all types of shoes I had never seen before- crazy disco platforms, knee high boots, sneakers of every kind. I had always been in a hurry to grow up before, but seeing all the crazy styles made me long for the day when I could wear whatever I wanted, starting with all these amazing shoes! But I was a girl on a mission- 8 eye Dr. Martens in classic black. Found them! The minute I put them on and looked at myself in the mirror I finally saw the person I always felt like on the inside. Fast forward 20 some odd years later and I’m working in our Little 5 Points store and this girl comes in, and she’s about 15 or 16 and her Mom is trailing her, cooing over all the array of shoes, talking about what was in style when she was younger. I walk over and ask them how they’re doing and ask if they have something particular in mind. Mom looks at the daughter, who looks back as if to say, “Are you sure?” In that moment I know why they’re here. The daughter walks over to the table full of Dr. Martens in colors and styles I could never have dreamed of, picks up the classic 8* boot in black and says “I want my first pair of Docs.” This entry was posted in Dr. Martens on November 1, 2014 by Jessica. This entry was posted on October 1, 2014 by Jessica. Summer may be gone, but we had such a blast that we aren’t bummed at all! We worked smart and played hard, and squeezed every ounce of awesome out of each summery day, and hope you did, too. From hiking in the mountains to shooting the ‘Hooch, we really put our Chaco, Keen, and various favorite sandals through their paces this year- one of us even thought that taking her Birkenstock Gizeh sandals for a wet, sandy bicycle ride on the beach was a great idea. (It’s not.) Luckily, Birkenstock is built to last and are generally repairable so a little minor cork work and a new footbed and voila, good as new. If you loved your Birks a little hard this year, or the past 10 years, it may be time to bring them by and have one of our knowledgeable associates take a look and evaluate to see if they need a little TLC. The most common repair is minor cork work and a resole, and it usually takes approximately 2 weeks. FYI, the soft footbed style sandals cannot be replaced. While we don’t actually do the repairs ourselves, we have been working with the same local, trusted repairman for over 15 years. Trust us when we say you’d rather wait those few weeks now, as opposed to spring when most folks think about bringing their sandals back out. Take care of them now, and they’ll be ready when you are! We know you guys love Chaco- what’s not to love in this sturdy, anatomically correct sandal that’s both tough as nails and provides the must-have accessory of every summer- Chaco tan lines! And with the ReChaco program offered through the company you can love your favorite pair for years to come, and keep a pair of footwear out of the landfills. Their website offers a comprehensive list of services and prices, from rewebbing to replacing buckles, and everything in between. Before tossing your sandals, check to see if yours can be given a second (or third, or fourth. . .) life. As they say, “Adventures come and go, but your Chacos stay on your feet.” Sometimes the only thing your sandals need is a good cleaning and refreshing. Before putting them away for the winter, give them a good wash with appropriate cleaner. Birkenstock makes a great Shoe Care Kit for leather, suede and nubuck. Also, check to make sure that the cork isn’t drying up and coming off- when the cork has lost its sheen is a good indicator that this is happening. If it is, a light coating of Cork Sealer, available in store and online at www.coolshoes.com will condition and protect the cork from the elements. For Chaco, Keen and Merrell we recommend a gentle water-based soap like Nikwax Sandal Wash which cleans, refreshes and remove odors from sandals, footbeds and insoles. Air dry away from heat, and your sandals are fresh and ready to go next year! This entry was posted in Birkenstock, Chaco, Shoe Care on October 1, 2014 by Jessica. This entry was posted on June 10, 2014 by coolshoesAdmin. If you’ve just purchased your first pair of Chaco sandals (or maybe your third!), you may be wondering how to adjust the straps to fit your feet “just right.” Correctly adjusted straps are actually just as important as finding the correct size. If you already own a pair of Chaco and don’t find them as comfortable as you had hoped, the problem may just be in the strap adjustment rather than the shoe itself. Good news! Here’s our handy-dandy guide on how to adjust the straps on the most popular Chaco styles. The steps vary slightly depending if your style has a toe-loop or not. We’ve listed the steps in bullet points, but if you’re more of a “visual learner” check out the videos from Brandon with Chaco at the end of the end of each step-by-step. For styles WITHOUT the toe loopYou first want to open the straps up as wide as possible so you can get your foot into the shoe. To do so:
For styles WITH the toe loopFor the most part the instructions are the same; you just have one extra strap to adjust on these styles. Again, you’ll want to open the straps up as wide as possible so you can get your foot into the shoe. To do so:
Remember, if you take your Chaco sandals on and off by undoing the buckle instead of yanking them off, you are more likely to keep the straps adjusted the right way. This means you only have to go through this process once. Whew! This entry was posted in Chaco on June 10, 2014 by coolshoesAdmin. This entry was posted on May 30, 2014 by admin. “I need shoes for travel” This is a common request we hear from our customers, and we have some suggestions to make your travel time easier, more comfortable, and most importantly – more fun! There are a lot of shoe marketers out there making claims about how their shoes are “great for travel,” and there are (unfortunately) a lot of travelers in the world who may make it seem like white sneakers and tube socks are your best bet for travel…but we’re here to help steer you in a better, more focused direction based on your needs, both form (or fashion) and functionality. When traveling, comfort supportive shoes are key. And no - this does NOT mean wearing your gym shoes. In European destinations, even with uneven cobblestone streets, bulky gym shoes are a dead-giveaway that you are an American tourist. And you don’t really want to be that guy, right? There are three things you should consider when choosing shoes for travel. If you make your choices wisely using these factors, you can usually get away with 1-2 pairs of shoes, or 3 at the most (if your travel activities are more specific). The three factors you should consider are: Comfort, Durability, and Style. Comfort The comfort factor is obvious. You’re traveling. You’re probably going to be walking all day in your shoes and sometimes on terrain you are not used to (dirt, gravel, cobblestone, hard city streets). Not to mention the time spent waiting in lines...on your feet. You need something supportive, a proper fit, and lightweight so there’s less strain on your legs and back. The easiest way to ruin a vacation is by wearing ill-fitting shoes that cause blisters or backaches on the very first day. Durability Of course you want a pair of shoes that will last and that will hold up to a lot of wear and tear. But you also want shoes that have the durability enough to hold up to inclement weather, or muddy, uneven terrain. Easy-to-clean options are an added bonus. A perfect warm-climate option that meets all of these requirements is a pair of Chaco Z/1 Yampa sandals. While these first two factors, Comfort and Durability, might also lead you to light-hiker or hiker/walker combo options like the Chaco Outcross Lace or the Merrell Moab Vent - and those are both great shoes! - you’ll want to consider the third element, style. It’s important to consider the activities you’re planning for your vacation. Style If you are doing nothing but hiking or outdoor activities, light-hikers may be a perfect option. However, if you are planning to go out to dinner, theater or museums, a more casual - yet comfortable and durable - option may exist. Generally a casual brown leather shoe like a Blundstone 510 Work Boot or the Mephisto Felix fits all three bills: all-day comfort, water-repellant durability, and yet stylish enough to go out at night. Instead of a hiker/walker AND a casual shoe, you can satisfy all needs in just one pair. (These two options have the added bonus of being slip-ons to help you breeze through TSA security lines!) Another option is a comfort shoe “masquerading” as a casual sneaker. The Keen Timmons lace-up provides supportive, all-day comfort, a lightweight yet durable upper and a stylish look. Whatever travel shoes you pick, we recommend that you always take time before your travel to break them in and ensure a proper fit. It is also important to let your shoes air out overnight if they have gotten wet or muddy. If they have a removable insole, take that out to let it breathe and dry out as well. Doing so will help keep your feet more comfortable, and --trust us on this one - your luggage smelling fresher on the way home. Happy feet and happy trails to you! This entry was posted in Blundstone, Chaco, Keen, Mephisto, Merrell, Travel Shoes on May 30, 2014 by admin. This entry was posted on February 21, 2014 by admin. Our Abbadabba’s team was doing some brainstorming recently and came up with this tagline to try to describe our store to those who might not have visited us yet: Cool Shoes. Cooler Service. Coolest Customers. How true it is! Read more about one of our coolest customers, Amy Krafchick! I discovered Abbadabba’s by chance about 10 years ago. The first time I shopped there, I knew it would meet my needs. My foot is wide, but I still find plenty of options – I never get frustrated there! I am on my feet a lot and have had some foot issues in recent years. My podiatrist asked me to bring in all my shoes (most of which were from Abbadabba’s) and he approved all of them! He also recommended some other brands that Abbadabba's carries. My full time job is working with kids so I am on my feet all day. I usually wear Brooks Adrenalines while working. This shoe has been a life saver. They came in wide also. I lead a very active life doing a wide range of activities, and I can find shoes at Abbadabba’s for all occasions. I usher at a few theaters, travel, dance, power walk, hike, cook, play league tennis, and when I'm resting my feet, I am being a scrabble nerd. One of my favorite brands is NAOT. The quality is superior and I found that my NAOTs go with everything. They are very fashionable and every time I wear them, I get compliments. They last forever too. Most recently, I went to Abbadabba's to look for some walking shoes for an upcoming trip to Europe. I bought Orthaheels. The style I bought came in several colors so I bought black and copper. I wore them for a few weeks to break them in and they feel like slippers. Very cute and comfortable too. They were perfect for my trip! On that same shopping trip, I was so impressed when the sales girl said NO to me when I had my eyes set on a certain shoe. She told me, “that shoe is not good for your foot and you won't be happy with it.” I appreciated her honesty, knowledge, and caring. It’s so rare to find a salesperson like that today. Before shopping at Abbadabba’s, I remember wearing cheap shoes and I was miserable! I can really relate to the expression, “you get what you pay for.” That is especially true with shoes. Now, when it comes to buying shoes, I never cut corners. My feet are too valuable. Once you experience a high quality shoe, you don’t ever want to go back to that miserable feeling. If you have never shopped at Abbadabba's, you will be in for a real treat. The sales staff are so knowledgable and you get that personal attention and great customer service. They stand behind all their shoes and want their customers to be happy. The shoes are top quality and the selection is fabulous. They appreciate your business and it shows. This entry was posted in Naot, Orthaheels, Our Customers on February 21, 2014 by admin. This entry was posted on May 17, 2013 by admin. When you first think of high-risk occupations, images of soldiers in war zones or Alaskan ice road truckers might pop into your mind. However, the health care field comes with its own range of daily hazards. Shoes for Medical ProfessionalsWhether you are employed by a hospital, outpatient care or a private medical practice, professionals have to avoid injuries incurred from treating and transporting patients, exposures to body fluids and illnesses, needle sticks and more. All while working long hours and handling demanding duties. But even in the most intense circumstances, working with Abbadabba’s means these professionals have one less thing to worry about – their feet. Sure, we think a lot about keeping people healthy from the soles up. But we’re not alone. The Occupational & Health Administration has several standards for protective footwear in a health care environment. In addition to preventing slips, trips and falls, individuals need to wear closed toe shoes with strong support to avoid foot injuries due to falling or rolling objects, or items piercing the sole. Footwear also needs to provide protection from potential needle sticks, splashing from blood or other potentially infectious materials. Finally, there’s the issue of comfort. Anyone spending long shifts on their feet requires maximum performance and support. Just ask Camille Ghiraldi, R.N., who has been shopping at Abbadabba’s for over a decade. “As a nurse, I was amazed to see how wearing Dansko’s took the pressure off of my hips, knees and back while keeping my feet comfortable and protected,” she explained. “Abbadabba’s goes out of their way to help you buy the right shoe for your feet.” Best Shoe Brands for Healthcare WorkersAbbadabba’s offers a number of protective, fashion-forward shoes that give health care workers the support they need. Popular brands with enclosed toes include Dansko , Alegria, Birkenstock, Sanita, Keen and Klogs. Want more tips for finding the best shoes for your health care environment? Try these:
In celebration of National Nurse’s Week and National Healthcare Workers Week during May, we went out into the community to give our thanks to Georgia area nurses for all that they do. Highlights:
This entry was posted in Alegria, Birkenstock, Clogs, Dansko, Keen, Klogs, Nurse Shoes on May 17, 2013 by admin. This entry was posted on April 9, 2013 by admin. At Abbadabba’s, we are passionate about helping people lead more active, healthier lives with the help of innovative, comfort footwear. But one of the growing hazards to walking and running in Atlanta neighborhoods is speeding cars. According to this chart from non-profit group Pedestrians Educating Drivers on Safety, Inc. (PEDS), nine out of ten pedestrians survive being hit by a car going 20 miles per hour, but only one in ten survive if the car is traveling 40 miles per hour or faster. That’s why we partnered with PEDS to distribute “SLOW DOWN” yard signs free of charge at our retail stores. Community residents, civic organizations and parent teacher associations can pick the signs up at all five Abbadabba’s locations while the inventory is available. "We are thrilled Abbadabba's shares our focus on creating a more pedestrian-friendly community,” said Sally Flocks, President and CEO of PEDS. “Their generous support has funded these complimentary yard signs and expands our reach into the Atlanta suburbs through more convenient distribution points.” On March 23, 2013, PEDS distributed the signs at a special event in Grant Park, with the help of several of our team members, before expanding the access to Abbadabba stores on March 27. The organization will schedule a second distribution event within the next month or so. As Atlanta traffic grows more congested, motorists have been cutting through residential areas at greater speeds. The result is an increased threat to local pedestrians. “Posting SLOW DOWN signs on streets sends a clear message to drivers who treat neighborhood streets like highways,” added Flocks. Pedestrians Educating Drivers on Safety, Inc. (PEDS) works with government agencies, urban designers, community organizations and others to increase pedestrian safety and convenience. The organization is dedicated to making metro Atlanta safe and accessible for all pedestrians. Visit www.peds.org for additional information. This entry was posted in PEDS, Walking on April 9, 2013 by admin. This entry was posted on January 4, 2013 by admin. If you’re starting to think ahead about health and fitness goals for 2013, you’re not alone. Nearly one in five Americans make a New Year’s Resolution that focuses on improving their wellness, usually in the form of becoming more active or taking off extra pounds. Whatever your personal goals may be, just know that Abbadabba’s is here to help you walk the walk now more than ever before by helping our employees go the distance with healthier habits. At a time when other companies are cutting back on expenses, we are now offering team members unique wellness benefits like reimbursing the cost of monthly gym memberships and race-day fees. Customers have told us that one of the reasons they keep coming back to Abbadabba’s is our knowledgeable employees. So we want to ensure they have every opportunity to support your healthy living journey through their personal experiences as well. Like Christine Porter, our Director of Store Operations. Since the beginning of 2012, she has lost a considerable amount of weight and now works out five to six times a week. Christine is now using the wellness benefits to fund her gym membership and pay for the fees associated with races such as the Atlanta Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon and the Chicago Half Marathon. “It’s great that Abbadabba’s is helping support my personal fitness goals,” she notes. “Since I am the athletic shoe buyer, this experience has helped me understand what our customers need in most exercise environments.” Kristen Smith, Chief Financial Officer of Abbadabba’s, sums up the company’s unique philosophy. “While Abbadabba’s mission is to be Atlanta's Premier Source for Innovative Comfort Footwear, our purpose is to promote better health by helping you find shoes that support your feet, maximize performance and prevent injuries. In selling products that enable people to live a more active life, we wanted to provide wellness benefits to our employees that back up this passion.” Abbadabba’s wellness benefits include:
Complementing the generous health insurance packages already offered, the company’s wellness benefits help make Abbadabba’s one of the best places to work in Atlanta. Unlike most retailers, we have low turnover and a high percentage of full-time workers – allowing us to continually invest in the in-depth training of sales staff about products. Which means you can always count on our team to be able to answer questions, help fit the best footwear for your needs and support your healthy living goals. This entry was posted in Health and Fitness Goals, Marathon Running, Running on January 4, 2013 by admin. |
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