Women's Shoe Store Opens on Kings Highway

With the snip of a red ribbon, shoppers now have a new place to buy women’s shoes in Haddonfield.

, a women’s shoe boutique, opened on Kings Highway Saturday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Mayor Tish Colombi and Commissioner Jeff Kasko.

The store’s proprietor, Ferne Williams, had a permanent grin on her face as she watched her new shop open to the public. This is Williams’ first foray into the shoe business.

“I used to have a ceramic arts business years ago, but I was also working full-time then,” Williams said. “Now, I can devote all of my energy to this store.”

Haddonfield proved attractive to Williams for the quaint atmosphere of the shopping district.

“Haddonfield is a very nice place, and I love the feel of it,” she said. “I wanted to open a store that fit in, but also offers affordable, quality shoes.”

Mazzez’s interior features sleek purples and silvers, accenting the shoe displays on the wall and in the window. Several comfy benches, chairs and couches provide a place to try on shoes.

The storefront, between James A. Carmody & Sons and the UPS Store, previously was occupied by Jewelry & Timepiece Mechanix, which in May moved from the Kings Highway spot to a larger store in Kings Court.

Mazzez joins another Kings Highway shoe store, Benjamin Lovell Shoes, as well as several Haddonfield shops that sell shoes among their larger merchandise.

Williams said she sought to make Mazzez an alternative to stores that only offer high-end shoes—at high-end prices. Mazzez does have higher end brands, Williams said, but offers a mix of prices and shoe types.

Colombi, who cut the red ribbon Saturday morning to officially open Mazzez, said the new store is a positive for Haddonfield.

“I think the message this sends is that Haddonfield, despite the economy, continues to be a place where businesses want to be,” Colombi said.

Colombi and Kasko stood with members of Williams’ family, plus the store’s employees—there will be three part-timers—to cut the ribbon Saturday. The Thursday Night Band set up on the sidewalk playing jazzy tunes before and after the ceremony.

“It’s great to have you here, and best of luck,” Colombi told Williams. “I can’t wait to buy some shoes.”