Payless Shoes

Payless ShoeSource — Affordable Shoes for Every Family

Founded: 1956 | Founders: Louis and Shaol Pozez | Origin: Topeka, Kansas

Payless ShoeSource was one of America's most recognizable discount footwear retailers, helping generations of families find affordable shoes without sacrificing style.

Founded in 1956 in Topeka, Kansas, Payless built its reputation around a simple idea: everyone deserves access to fashionable, comfortable footwear at reasonable prices.

Over the decades, Payless became a familiar shopping destination in malls and neighborhood shopping centers across America. Customers could find everything from sneakers and dress shoes to sandals, boots, children's footwear, and accessories.

With popular private-label brands such as Airwalk, Champion, and SmartFit, Payless offered budget-friendly choices for school, work, special occasions, and everyday life.

At its peak, Payless operated thousands of stores worldwide. However, increasing competition from online retailers, changing shopping habits, and financial difficulties led to bankruptcy filings in 2017 and 2019. The company closed its remaining U.S. stores in 2019.

Although Payless later attempted a comeback, its original nationwide retail presence remains a nostalgic memory for millions of shoppers.

At CheckoutMall, we celebrate Payless ShoeSource in our "Brands Gone, But Not Forgotten" collection, remembering the store that made buying shoes affordable for families everywhere.

Payless ShoeSource — You Could Pay More, But Why?