SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio Shoemakers, more commonly known as SAS, has been a beloved institution in the South San neighborhood since 1976. Founded by Terry Armstrong and Lew Hayden, the company set out to redefine how genuine leather shoes were made.

Armstrong and Hayden’s dedication, along with the support of their families, led them to establish their first factory at 101 New Laredo Highway, within an unused aircraft hangar on the South Side of San Antonio.

While SAS has expanded over the years, their commitment to quality, comfort, and family values has remained unwavering.

Sisters Whitney Zwieg and Lari Young have fond memories of visiting SAS since they were young girls. They recall special trips from Corpus Christi to San Antonio, solely to purchase a new pair of shoes.

“My parents always said, ‘You can get a pair of shoes.’ So we would go through, and we’d look and we’d try them all on,” Zwieg reminisced. “Then (the) lotions smelled like our grandmother’s house, so we would always get a lotion to remind us of her.” The nostalgic ambiance is a sentiment echoed by SAS district manager Eloy Alvarado.

“For many generations, they come in and they brag about how when they were kids, they would come in. They came in with their grandmother, grandpa, and now, they’re bringing their kids,” Alvarado shared. The San Antonio Shoes location on New Laredo Highway welcomes customers from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

In addition to the original location, SAS boasts four more stores around San Antonio. Visit the official website for more information.

Read next: