Top > Entertainment > 2005 > August > 2005-08-01

New store Lorin opens in Santa Monica

Lorin, a new shoe store that recently opened on Santa Monica`s Third Street Promenade, is a local boutique with a unique position: It is one of only a few stores on the Promenade that is not a chain, yet carries a large selection of brands, including the ever-popular Earth shoes. Lorin is not affiliated with any national headquarters, it is not listed on NASDAQ and if you want to talk to the owner, Zeke Vurgec, 32, or make a special request to the buyer, Hamsi Hijazi, 27, they are both readily available. With a retail mix that is unusual for an independent store, and owned and operated by a young and enthusiastic team, Lorin is already a destination for customers looking for shoes that are both stylish and comfortable.

"Since opening the new store, we have just scratched the surface, and there is way more to come," explained Hijazi. Part owner, Johnny Merifian, 27, added, "We`ve all worked in customer service. That`s what we pride ourselves on. People in this area have so many options that customer service is what people will seek in Lorin." Vurgec also predicted that Lorin will become a destination for celebrities too: "I have sold shoes to Ray Liotta in the past, and since Lorin is located in Santa Monica, where a lot of celebrities live, I know that they will want to come here for the selection as well as the service."

Vurgec is quick to emphasize that his store is named after his mother and that he is proud to honor her name, Lorin.