The Beginnings

Selection, quality, style. The Kunitz family have been serving up “Really Good Shoes” since 1981.

August 5th, 1981 was the day the doors opened on a then tiny shoe store under the name of Kobbler King. It was a cute little shop complete with a fish tank which the owners, Dwane and Darlene Kunitz, figured would be an indispensable tool in impressing our would be clientele – Children. Much to the shock of our new little customers, measurements were taken (sometimes accompanied by tears…), and shoes were brought out. Each person was individually sized and fitted. This first idea of service and selection is what has carried Kunitz Shoes through the decades and why it remains an outstanding shop today.

And It Grew!

By 1991 the little shoe store had established a core of regular customers and the shop was in need of renovations (a bigger fish tank this time!). With the renovations came 2 major steps in our history: The first was leaving behind the franchised name of Kobbler King in exchange for Kunitz Shoes. The second was moving the business into adult as well as kids shoes. The idea of a sit-and-fit shoe shop seemed to be even more needed by grownups than it did for the kids. 7 eager years of shoe service continued, establishing Kunitz Shoes as the place where you could come in, sit down, and have yourself fitted into ”really good shoes” without compromising  on style.

The Big Move

In 2000, the Kunitz’s realized a goal that had been a dream since the beginning. They would move to a larger location outside of a mall. The Southside Edmonton store was built where it stands today, dubbed “the cathedral of shoe shops” by one customer. The fish, again, were offered more space and (perhaps because of that?) business soared. Almost 20 years after opening the door, the Kunitz Shoes philosophy of quality and service was ingrained.

A New Generation

In an effort to maintain unparalleled merchandise selection and quality service in an independently owned shoe shop, the second generation of Kunitz’s are taking the family name to new heights. In 2009 a second location on Jasper Avenue was opened, followed by the 2016 launch of a full Ecommerce website. In 2019, the Kunitz Family began work on their very first Kunitz Shoes branded collection of footwear… which has expanded every year since. Step by Step, Kunitz Shoes began to grow into an Edmonton staple.

Kunitz West 

In 2020 (mid pandemic), the Kunitz family put out a survey asking customers which area of the city could best use “really good shoes”. The resounding answer was West! In March 2021, while celebrating our 40th year of business, the doors on our new West Edmonton location were opened… just as we closed the doors after 10 years at our Jasper Ave location.

Kunitz East

By the early summer of 2025 Morgan and Everett Kunitz began looking for ways to better serve the East side of Edmonton. Construction on Kunitz Capilano began by the new year, and in March 2026 our brand new location was open. Customers have been pouring in, glad to save a commute to either of our other locations, and happy to see Really Good Shoes nestled into the Eastern reaches of the city.

Really Good Shoes… Today

Now with 3 locations serving Edmonton and over 45 years of experience, Kunitz Shoes has become ingrained in the footwear culture of Alberta’s capital (and beyond through kunitzshoes.ca!). Sourcing the high quality footwear from all over the world, including our very own Kunitz brand, while delivering seasonally focused footwear tailored to our market’s needs, we’re proud to be Edmonton’s choice for Really Good Shoes.