New Children's Shoe Store to Open Near Rite Aid

In case you haven't heard, the worst kept secret on Mercer Island is a new children's shoe store is opening in Mercer Island Town Center sometime this week or next.

Hennie McPennie, located at 3043 78th Avenue SE in the Rite Aid shopping center, will carry a variety of children's shoes, including a variety of sports cleats and ballet slippers. 

The shoe store is owned by local residents John Keith and his wife, Theresa. With two children of their own, ages 13 and 8, Keith said they love the idea of seeing kids from all around the community every day as a result of opening their own business.

"We're excited to be a nice little mom-and-pop store on Mercer Island," Keith said.

Hennie McPennie isn't a direct reference to the title from the English fairy tale (best known in the US as "Chicken Little"), but the Keiths said they liked the sound of the name and added the "Mc" as a nod to their Scots-Irish heritage. The logo also includes a hen wrapped with a scarf patterned after the Keith family Tartan.

Brand names already stocked at the store, according their Facebook page, include Bobux, Pediped, Primigi, Valentina, See Kai Run, Twig, Bogs, Brooks, Mizuno, Diadora and many others.

"We look forward to being a one stop shop for Mercer Island families," said a recent post.

The store, with the windows currently covered with wrapping paper as if waiting to be opened like a christmas present, is located between Studio 904 and the Defensive Driving School in the Mercer Island Shopping Center. No definite opening date has been set as of Monday, Jan. 21.

For more information, call Hennie McPennie at 206-232-0495.