If you grew up anywhere near the border of Western Pennsylvania and Ohio, you know the name. It wasn’t just a store. It was a pilgrimage. Reyers shoe store Pennsylvania was the kind of place where you didn't just "pop in" for a pair of sneakers; you dedicated a Saturday to it. People drove from four states away. They came in tour buses. It sounds ridiculous now in the age of Amazon Prime, but back then, the sheer scale of the place felt like a retail miracle.
Founded in 1886 by John Reyer, this wasn't always a behemoth. It started as a humble cobbler shop. But by the late 20th century, under the leadership of the Jubelirer family—specifically Harry Jubelirer and later his sons Mark and Steven—it transformed into the "World’s Largest Shoe Store." That wasn't just marketing fluff. At its peak in downtown Sharon, PA, the store occupied a staggering 52,000 square feet.
What Actually Made Reyers Different?
Most people think "big" just means more of the same. Not here. The magic of Reyers shoe store Pennsylvania was the inventory. They didn't just stock sizes 7 through 10. Honestly, they excelled at the "impossible" sizes. We’re talking women’s sizes 4 to 14 and widths from AAAAA to EE. For men, it was sizes 6 to 22 and widths up to 6E.
Imagine being a guy with a size 18 foot in 1992. You couldn't just browse a website. You were usually stuck with whatever ugly pair a local shop could special order. Then you walked into Reyers and saw rows of options. It felt like dignity.
The service was old-school. Not "can I help you?" while looking at a phone old-school, but "let me measure your foot with a Brannock Device and find five options that actually fit your arch" old-school. They had over 100,000 pairs of shoes in stock at any given time. It was overwhelming. It was loud. It was glorious.
The Sharon Era: More Than Just Shoes
Sharon, Pennsylvania, is a town built on steel and grit. When the mills started struggling, Reyers became the heartbeat of the downtown area. It sat right there on East State Street. You’d go to Reyers, then walk over to Quaker Steak & Lube for wings, or maybe hit up Daffins for some chocolate. It was a localized ecosystem.
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The Jubelirers were master marketers. They understood that to get someone to drive three hours to a small town, you had to make it an event. They leaned into the "World's Largest" title hard. It worked.
But retail shifted. Slowly at first, then all at once. The massive downtown footprint became a liability. The 2008 recession hit the Rust Belt hard. Then came the rise of Zappos. Then the pandemic. By 2021, the news broke that shocked the locals: Reyers was leaving Sharon.
The Move to Monaca and the New Reality
In August 2021, Reyers shoe store Pennsylvania relocated to the Beaver Valley Mall in Monaca. This move wasn't just about a change of address; it was a survival tactic. The new space is smaller, coming in at about 14,000 square feet. That’s a massive drop from the 50,000+ they had in Sharon.
Is it the same? Kinda. But also, no.
The focus shifted. They still have those hard-to-find sizes, which is their "moat" against big-box retailers. But the "World's Largest" tag is gone. Now, it’s a high-end specialty store. They still carry brands like Birkenstock, New Balance, UGG, and Hoka. The expertise is still there. Many of the staff members who had worked in Sharon for decades actually made the commute to Monaca. That loyalty says something about the brand.
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Why the Location Change Matters for Shoppers
If you’re planning a trip today, you need to understand the vibe. The Sharon location was a destination. The Monaca location is a mall store.
- Parking is easier: No more searching for downtown street spots.
- Accessibility: It’s right off Route 18, making it a straight shot from Pittsburgh.
- Curation: Because the space is smaller, they don’t keep 100,000 pairs on the floor. It’s more curated.
Critics of the move say the "soul" of the store stayed in Sharon. Maybe. But the reality of 2026 retail is that 52,000-square-foot shoe stores are dinosaurs. By downsizing, Reyers ensured they didn't become extinct like so many other family-owned giants.
The Logistics of Finding Your Fit
Let’s get practical. If you have "problem feet," this is still the place. Most modern shoe stores are "self-service" warehouses. You find a box, try it on, and leave. Reyers still operates on a "sit-and-fit" model.
When you walk in, someone is going to help you. They understand foot anatomy. If you have bunions, high arches, or one foot larger than the other (which most people do), they actually know how to accommodate that.
The price point? It’s not a discount warehouse. You aren't going there for $20 knock-offs. You’re going there for $150 boots that will last five years because they were constructed correctly. They carry brands like Munro, Ara, and Johnston & Murphy. It’s an investment in your back and knees.
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Why People Still Care
There’s a psychological element to Reyers shoe store Pennsylvania. In a world that feels increasingly digital and ephemeral, a physical store that has existed since the 19th century feels like an anchor. It represents a time when things were built to last and specialized knowledge was valued.
The Jubelirer family still owns and operates it. That’s rare. Most family businesses die by the third generation. We’re well past that here. They’ve survived the Great Depression, two World Wars, the collapse of the steel industry, and the internet.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you’re heading to the Monaca location, don't just wing it.
- Go on a weekday. Saturdays at the Beaver Valley Mall can still get hectic, and you want the salesperson's full attention.
- Bring your socks. If you’re buying boots or athletic shoes, bring the specific socks you intend to wear with them. It changes the fit more than you think.
- Ask for "The Back." Even with the smaller floor space, they have deep stock. If you don't see your size in a style you love, ask. Their warehouse system is still incredibly robust.
- Check the hours. Malls have weird hours these days. Always call ahead or check their official social media before making a long drive.
- Don't rush. Plan to spend at least an hour. The fitting process is thorough, and you’ll want to walk around the store to ensure there’s no heel slippage or pinching.
Reyers isn't just a shoe store; it’s a case study in adaptation. They moved, they shrank, and they survived. While the "World's Largest" era in Sharon is a piece of Pennsylvania history, the Monaca storefront is a testament to the fact that quality service and specialized sizing will always have a market, even when the rest of the world is just clicking "Add to Cart."
If you have a size 13AAAA foot or just want a pair of shoes that won't fall apart in six months, it’s still worth the drive. Just set your GPS for Monaca, not Sharon.
Final Pro Tip for Travel
If you’re coming from out of state, stay in the Beaver Valley area. There are plenty of hotels near the mall, and you’re only about 35-40 minutes from downtown Pittsburgh. You can make a weekend of it—hit Reyers for the gear, then head into the city for a game or a show. It’s the modern version of the old "Reyers Pilgrimage."