Here at Jack Schwartz Shoes, LLC. we are more than just a footwear company – we are a family owned establishment that takes great pride in our craft. Our mission has always been to provide fashionable, comfortable and durable products. With 4 generations of family, and 8 decades of experience, our versatility and unparalleled perseverance are the keys to our success.
80 YEARS
OF INNOVATION
COMPANY HISTORY
Jack Schwartz Shoes, LLC (JSS) is a family-owned company with over 80 years of experience as an American manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer of footwear. Based in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, New York City, JSS also operates a production office in Guangzhou, China. The company owns and produces the iconic brands Lugz and British Knights, and manages the exclusive footwear licenses for Ben Sherman and Lee. JSS remains committed to expanding its reach by offering robust manufacturing capabilities and exploring new opportunities in private label and branded footwear partnerships.
Founded at the height of the Great Depression, the journey of Jack Schwartz Shoes began on March 1, 1936. The company’s roots were firmly planted in Tribeca, with its first storefront at 115 West Broadway in New York City. Just four years later, JSS moved to 138 Duane Street, where it would remain a fixture for the next 50 years.In 1990, the company relocated its headquarters to SoHo, settling on the Avenue of the Americas, marking a new chapter of growth and evolution. After three decades in SoHo, JSS continued to expand, moving its offices to Midtown Manhattan, where it now operates—just a block from Bryant Park.As a four-generation family-owned company, the evolution of Jack Schwartz Shoes is a testament to the enduring spirit of the American dream. Its legacy spans two millennia, 15 U.S. presidencies, and a century marked by sweeping world events, technological revolutions, shifts in manufacturing, and ever-changing fashion trends.
The company began as a footwear wholesaler, representing brands like Kent Howard and Charles Walker. After the untimely passing of founder Jack Schwartz at just 44 years old in 1944, his son Donald stepped in to carry forward the family vision. In 1946, Donald’s brother Bernard joined the business after completing college, eventually serving as Chairman until his passing in 2014. Donald’s son, Jack, entered the business in 1972, rising to serve as President and later Chairman, roles he held until 2020—continuing the family’s legacy of leadership, resilience, and innovation. In 1976, Jack Schwartz Shoes took a bold step into branded footwear with the launch of its first in-house line, Pro Players. Building on this momentum, British Knights was introduced in 1983 with the debut of a casual boat shoe.
In 1980, Janet Feldman, daughter of Bernard Schwartz, joined the company as Vice President, taking charge of Production and Operations across both the New York and China offices. By 1985, with the growing popularity of British Knights, the brand shifted toward fashion-forward athletic footwear. That same year, Larry Schwartz, Donald’s son, came on board to lead all Marketing efforts. Under Larry’s vision, British Knights became a cultural force, fueled by celebrity and athlete endorsements from icons like Kool Moe Dee, MC Hammer, and NBA star Derrick Coleman. The brand resonated with a generation through bold campaigns and memorable slogans like “The shoe ain’t nothin’ without the BK button” and “How Ya Like Me Now,” appearing across TV, radio, and national print. Building on the international success of British Knights, Jack Schwartz Shoes identified a shift in the footwear landscape—specifically in the growing demand for brown footwear and rugged street-inspired fashion. In response, Lugz was born in 1993, quickly positioning itself as a leader in this emerging category.
Beyond footwear, Lugz made a significant impact in apparel, offering a full line that included denim, fleece, and outerwear. Recognizing the cultural power of influence, the brand partnered with an array of iconic artists and personalities, including Erick Sermon, Snoop Dogg, Funkmaster Flex, Birdman, WWE Superstars, and the Orange County Choppers, further cementing its place in streetwear culture. In recent years, Lugz has reasserted its relevance through high-profile collaborations with brands and creatives such as Urban Outfitters, V-Files, KidSuper, Atelier New Regime, Bazooka, and the Grammy Award-winning band Ghost. Amid Lugz’s momentum, JSS expanded its brand portfolio once again. In 2005, it launched Sneaux, a skate-inspired fashion footwear line. With Steve-O of Jackass fame as the face of the brand, Sneaux carved out a niche in the skate fashion scene, capturing attention with its edgy and irreverent spirit.
In 2001, David Schwartz, son of Jack Schwartz, joined the company as a salesman, quickly immersing himself in the hands-on aspects of production and design. Today, David serves as President and Chairman, proudly representing the fourth generation of family leadership at Jack Schwartz Shoes.With a strong and diverse portfolio of brands—including Lugz, Ben Sherman, Lee, and British Knights—JSS is strategically positioned for continued success across multiple verticals in the footwear and retail landscape.
As Jack Schwartz Shoes approaches its 90th anniversary in 2026, one thing remains clear: this is not just a company—it’s a great American success story. In an industry that has seen massive consolidation, JSS stands tall as one of the last remaining family-owned footwear companies operating at a national scale. With an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and the values that shaped its beginnings, Jack Schwartz Shoes continues to set the standard—not just for where the industry has been, but for where it’s going.
BRANDS
LUGZ
Always an innovator and leader in footwear, Lugz first made a name for itself in October of 1993. Bringing its first line of boots to market, the initial product consisting of two styles of boots, a quilted vest and a pair of jeans. Soon Lugz was endorsed by key players from the world of hip hop and has continued to do so through out the years. One such collaboration led Lugz to breathe life to a whole new category of footwear with the introduction of the first ever celebrity-endorsed "Funk Master Flex" urban driving shoe. This was only the beginning as support then lead to a collaborative line with hip-hop superstar Bryan "Baby" Williams, aka "Birdman" with his own series of sneakers and boots. Lugz continues to work with many influencers from around the world to continue to keep the brand current and fresh.
BEN SHERMAN
Ben Sherman and Jack Schwartz Shoes, LLC. announced a new footwear licensing deal for North America. Established in 1963, and synonymous with British youth culture, the Ben Sherman brand has been a fixture across generations of style movements. Now a new line of footwear will add to its illustrious history with JSS at the helm. The brand-new Ben Sherman footwear line will span across athletic, causal, trend, canvas, and boot styles within men’s and kids’ footwear categories. Inspired by Ben Sherman’s heritage, while presenting new interpretations of modern classics utilizing branding elements like the vertical mod stripe.
LeeFOOTWEAR
Lee signed a licensing agreement with Jack Schwartz marking its first major expansion into the footwear space. Debuting in 2025, the collection places a focus on verticals including but not limited to athletic, casual, and boots. Lee referred to the addition of footwear as a commitment to full wardrobe for its customers. With blurring of lines between causal and athletic, Lee footwear will fill a natural void in the marketplace with three key pillars - comfort, style, and price. Jack Schwartz Shoes will lean on its long-standing design and manufacturing expertise in the footwear space, while adopting Lee's branding and heritage naturally for the everyday consumer.
BRITISH KNIGHTS
Born in NYC, British Knights were dreamt up by sneaker biz underdogs, a small, family-owned company with four generations of experience in the footwear game. Back in an era when sneakers meant sports, British Knights took their cues from the street - from the fresh new energy of hip hop music and the explosive colors of graffiti art. Inspired by our own unique place in pop culture history, British Knights is finally back, with a new look and a new mantra. For us, artists are the new athletes. Our revamped, resurrected line reflects this philosophy by nurturing design partnerships and creative projects with up-and-coming artists from around the globe. Get ready for a series of inspired alliances and collaborative creations that will honor BK’s long legacy of imagination and originality.