“We are very excited to be in Boston because we’ve had such strong interest from active women there,” said Jennifer Lovitt Riggs, Nota Bene Founder and President. “And we are especially delighted to be working with Footstock. They take fit and quality seriously, and they help educate women about good footwear and taking care of their feet. We know they will match the right shoe and size to the right customer.”
Nota Bene was founded in 2002 to provide women a healthy alternative to standard dress shoes that can cause foot pain, bunions and other foot problems. The need for women’s comfort shoes is huge: a study by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons found that nationally, more than 80% of podiatry patients are women. Moreover, women have over 90% of the annual surgeries for bunions, hammertoes, and neuromas.
“Shoes are the only item of apparel that impact a woman’s long term mobility, health, and ability to participate in life – dance that last dance, run to catch the plane, take that long walk through the park,” said Ms. Riggs. “Women only get one pair of feet. Shoes that take care of the foot and look good too are definitely worth the investment.”
Nota Bene carries 17 styles with an additional 10 styles slated for introduction in early 2008. The line includes pumps, slides, mid-heels, flats, and sandals in a multitude of rich colors, supple leathers and soft suede. Each style is developed in close consultation with an orthopedic surgeon, and thoughtfully designed to protect the foot while also showing it to its best advantage. Shoes are hand-crafted in the U.S. and Spain.
In 2005, Good Housekeeping magazine showcased the shoes in their “High heeled shoes that look good and feel good too” segment, giving Nota Bene shoes their coveted Seal of Approval. The company is currently featured in the December issue of Entrepreneur Magazine’s 2008 Hot List for Specialty Shoes.
Footstock will initially carry a limited selection of the Nota Bene line, but additional styles are slated for delivery early next year. Nota Bene is headquartered in Whitefish Bay, WI, and has retail representation in about 14 states, with more stores being added each month. Customers can also purchase the shoes directly from the Nota Bene website at http://www.notabeneshoes.com/
