About Us
To know more about our Barefoot Shoes Store, Soloha llc as independent distributor of Leguano GmbH, or for any questions or information, don't hesitate to contact us. Stay tuned, as we have additional locations on the horizon!
Barefoot And Thriving
Seven years ago, Gary Weiss’s wife, Victoria, was diagnosed with major spinal problems. She couldn’t even hold a water bottle or a cup of tea.
When doctors declined to perform surgery, the couple looked for other options. In addition to doing yoga, she took the advice of a friend who works for Leguano, a German company that manufactures barefoot shoes, and tried this footwear style.
She feels so much better now and is such a fan of the shoes that the couple recently opened the first United States retail location for Leguano. Their store on Fifth Avenue South in Naples joins more than 200 worldwide.
“Not only do we love this product, we have trust in this product,” says Gary Weiss. “I saw with my own eyes what we went through with Victoria. She still has spinal problems but today has an active lifestyle where she can work, go on the beach, play soccer with our grandkids, and enjoy life in a way we didn’t think she could even five years ago.”
Barefoot shoes — also known as zero drop or minimalist shoes — are made to mimic the feeling people would have walking without shoes. The terms refer to the natural flatness of the design. The shoes have room for toes to splay out and a flexible sole that allows the shoe and foot to move together.
According to Leguano, barefoot shoes can help enhance mobility, strength, circulation, and overall well-being.
Celebrating the opening of Leguano in Naples are Josephine and Jayden Portnoy (Victoria and Gary Weiss’s grandchildren), Victoria Weiss, Fabian Busch, Gary Weiss, and Wanda Portnoy (Victoria and Gary Weiss’s daughter). TIM GIBBONS PHOTOGRAPHY
The human foot has 33 joints, 26 bones (about 25 percent of the body’s total bones), and over a hundred muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Getting the proper footwear can affect the entire body.
“The whole idea of barefoot shoes is you exercise all the muscles in your body,” Weiss says.
All the shoes have the same wear-resistant soles made of highly flexible Lifolit PVC, which the company says protects them from sharp materials, including broken glass. The store has a test area with rocks of different sizes that people can walk across while trying on the shoes.
The irst United States retail location for Leguano in the new store on Fifth Avenue South in Naples, joining more than 200 worldwide. The primary objective of the Leguano USA project is to establish four corporate stores initially, with the eventual aim of expanding its presence through franchising across North America. TIM GIBBONS PHOTOGRAPHY
Barefoot shoes provide a unique experience, closely mimicking the sensation of walking barefoot while safeguarding your feet from potential hazards.
They are no strangers to the fashion business. For decades, the couple owned a company that designed and manufactured luxury outerwear garments, which they sold wholesale and retail to locations such as Saks and Bloomingdale’s.
After retiring to Naples full-time four years ago and deciding to return to business, Gary Weiss traveled to Leguano’s manufacturing facility in Germany to assess the technology and quality control.
“They have a huge factory that is amazing,” he says, adding that the company’s two-year shoe warranty confirms the quality.
Since opening in January, sales have exceeded their expectations, Weiss says, noting that doctors, flight attendants and other workers on their feet all day like the shoes.
The couple strategically selected a Fifth Avenue South location for their store. “It’s the most desirable area for businesses where you can get more exposure for your product,” Weiss says.
Victoria Weiss, partner of Leguano US operations, Fabian Busch, CEO of Export operations of Leguano GmbH, Germany, Gary Weiss, partner of Leguano US operations, and Lana Vivat, Leguano USA project investor.
The opening of Leguano is just one of several new additional businesses in the area.
“We are thrilled to have them on the avenue,” says Meg Stepanian, executive director of the Fifth Avenue South Business Improvement District. “It’s very special that Naples has been chosen to be the first U.S. representation of this international brand. We have an international audience that visits so that lends itself nicely.”
Stepanian notes that there were 1.3 million visitors to Fifth Avenue South in the past 12 months, about 50 percent of whom were residents or snowbirds and 50 percent of whom were short-term visitors.
She adds that the district is the #1 shopping and dining destination locally and #3 in Florida, according to Placer, an international company that provides location analytics.
Leguano
The Barefoot Store
739 Fifth Ave. South, Naples, FL 34102
HQ Toll-Free Phone:
1(866)Leguano or 1(866)534-8266
Store Phone:
1(239)530-8661
