Shoe Store Closes 2 Locations

The neon "Open" signs are clicked off, but shoes still line shelves and are displayed in store windows.

The truth is, the Z-Coil stores at 8230 Menaul Blvd. NE and 111 Rio Rancho Drive NE are closed for good. (Editor: Albuquerque, NM)

The retailer's Web site no longer lists the two locations, and signs on the doors confirm the situation, even if Z-Coil itself would not.

But the masters of coil are eager to put a positive twist on this tale.

Even those door signs puts a happy spin on the news, with wording that says the store "relocated to our North Valley Superstore!" (complete with exclamation points and an offer of a free gift for the inconvenience).

Z-Coil president Andres Gallegos would not comment about the closures.

"There's tons and tons of good news, and there's so much negativity in the news," he said in a phone interview. "I'd rather not comment on any internal operations."

Instead, Gallegos was quick to point out several good things happening within the company, including a new deal to expand into more than 50 Brown Shoe Co. stores nationwide.

"Z-Coil right now is basically a company that is bucking the trend of the current economy," Gallegos said. "The company's doing really well. We're a really stable organization."

Over the course of the next six months, Brown employees will file through New Mexico for custom training on how to fit customers with their spring-loaded soles.

"Z-Coil has become a bit of the landscape here in New Mexico, and these guys (Brown) are thrilled," Gallegos said.