Established in 1914 by Maurice J. Markell, the M. J. Markell Shoe Company began as a family shoe store specializing in comfort shoes, shoe corrections and orthopedic prescriptions.
M.J. Markell is credited as the originator of the Tarso Supinator® and the Tarso Pronator®, ready-made therapeutic footwear for children. In 1932, Markell presented the revolutionary new shoe concepts to doctors attending the national meetings of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Response was positive and shortly thereafter, Markell implemented an extensive marketing campaign for Tarso Shoes that included advertising and wholesaling the product nationwide. The wide acceptance of Tarso Shoes marked a significant advance in the care of children with valgus and varus foot disorders.
In 1953, a relocation to Yonkers, NY also brought a change in company direction- from family shoe store to wholesale shoe company. Relying on its experienced and dedicated staff, superior quality products and unparalleled customer service, the new company grew to supply medically related shoe and foot products to over 4,000 shoe stores and orthopedic facilities throughout the world.
A well-known Markell service is prompt delivery of merchandise. Footwear, made to company specifications and mostly on exclusive Markell-owned lasts, are stocked and shipped directly from the main warehouse located in Yonkers, NY. Same day shipping and is standard for small orders; larger orders rarely require more than three to four days.
In the past, Markell Shoe Company focused solely on children’s therapeutic footwear. Today the company has expanded its line to include a wide variety of adult comfort products including the washable and accommodative Pulman International Comfort shoes from France.
A family owned business for over three generations, Markell Shoe Company has become a tradition as well as an institution. Personal attention, technical expertise and dedicated service are the hallmarks of Markell's reputation in the medical footwear industry.
