Collingswood couple’s idea featured on ‘Today’ show
“Funny enough, I never learned to sew,” says Gloria Gledhill. But she and her boyfriend Carl Pizzo are hoping to fabricate success with SummerSox.
The fabric inserts slip into most types of shoes, including sandals, flats, heels and men’s shoes, giving the wearer the sensation of socks without looking like, well, Grandpa at the beach.
Pizzo, formerly a building contractor, came up with the idea in 2011, tired of sweaty feet and ruined shoes. Since then, the Collingswood couple have been tweaking their product, building the brand and selling SummerSox online, at community events and on QVC.
Gledhill has used her background in marketing and media relations to help spread the word, and those efforts have paid off: SummerSox were featured on a May 29 “Today” show segment on summer footwear. Pizzo, meanwhile, had long worked with businesspeople and entrepreneurs and had already been tasked with conceiving and executing a project from idea to reality.
Washable and reusable, they’re made in the USA; Gledhill and Pizzo devote their time fully to promoting and selling the product.
Gledhill has some sartorial sense in her DNA, despite her lack of prowess with a needle and thread: Her grandfather, Albert Mongelli, and great-grandfather, Giuseppe Mongelli, were both well-known fashion designers.
SummerSox are available online at www.summersox.com.
Family & Co. Jewelers lives up to its name — now in its fourth generation, the Marlton jeweler is owned by Angelo Breaux Sr., with his children Angelo “AJ” Jr., Crystal and Jessica, also working there.
But that family spirit extends to the larger family of U.S. military as well, and Angelo Sr. has long worked with Operation Yellow Ribbon and Warriors Watch to support current servicemen and women and veterans.
Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Family & Co. will host a free barbecue, with hot dogs, burgers, drinks, desserts and Patriotic Pilsner beer donated by Iron Hill Brewery. But they’re asking for a little something in return for a summer lunch: The family will be accepting donations for Operation Yellow Ribbon.
The store, which opened in South Philadelphia in 1937 and moved to Marlton in 1973, will also offer a gemstone hunt for kids and a silver ring workshop.
Operation Yellow Ribbon is asking for items including snacks, candy, batteries, women’s toiletries and puzzle books. For a list of requested items, visit www.operationyellowribbonsouthjersey.org/4.html
Family & Co. Jewelers is in Plaza 70, 65 East Route 70, Marlton. Call (856) 983-6337 or visit www.familyjewelers.com for more information.
Just4Kids Consignment will hold its next sale in Voorhees Aug. 21-23.
The consignment company, which does not have a year-round storefront, is going to open at Nexxt Level Coliseum, 333 Preston Ave. There will be consigner drop-off from 3 to 7 p.m. Aug. 18 and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 19. They’ll also offer a pre-sale for new moms and mothers-to-be, but advance registration is required.
Pre-registration opens at 10 a.m. July 10 at the website, http://just4kidsconsignment.com/. New and expectant mothers can shop from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Aug. 20.
For more information on consignment, including pricing, preparations and more, go to the website.
Know of a new business in South Jersey? Tell us about it. Email Phaedra Trethan at ptrethan@courierpostonline.com.
Phaedra Trethan: (856) 486-2417; ptrethan@courierpostonline.com