WHO WE ARE

The story begins four generations ago with the great-grandfather, Konstantis Karidas, creating a small shoe workshop in his hometown in Serres, Nigrita.

During the war, his son Grigoris opens the first shoe store inside one of Thessaloniki’s small arcades, at 49 Egnatia street.

His ethos, diligence and passion do not take long to bring recognition.

The next generation, the four brothers, create their new business roof, a four-floor store with men's, women’s, and children's shoes at 52 Egnatia street.

Greek factories manufacture unique designs of high quality and progressive aesthetics for this store.

Nobody could imagine the success and recognition this year would bring. The so-called "Karida’s Shoe" is a custom order travelling all the way from Las Vegas to Thessaloniki.

Its 780 light bulbs illuminate the city of Thessaloniki for decades. Greek factories create unique designs of the highest quality and progressive aesthetics for this store.

The rotating shoe becomes a trademark of the city – a meeting point for locals and visitors who get together under its glow.

The President of France at the time, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, visits Thessaloniki and, impressed, asks to be photographed under the “Karida’s Shoe” before his departure.

In 2001, Konstantinos Karidas predicts the market’s needs and the upcoming potential for growth, and successfully attempts the redesign of “KARIDA” by exclusively importing Italian women's shoes.

This is how "Fratelli Karida" is born, and it is brought to life on the most commercial street of the city, at 28 Tsimiski street.

With a well-established presence in Thessaloniki, the family successfully attempts to open two new branches, in Larissa and Kifissia, Athens.

Following the store’s success in Athens, a second one opens in Kolonaki, at 2 Kanari street.

“Fratelli Karida” brand changes to “KARIDA 1912”, emphasizing the family’s legacy and experience of 100+ years in footwear.

A new digital era begins, with a revamped and functionally designed e-shop offering a pleasant and fresh shopping experience to every visitor.

We do our best to deliver each package quickly, reliably, and easily in Greece and abroad. Our priority is the security of every online purchase, the protection of users' personal data and of course the satisfaction of each and every one of you, personally.

In 2023, we brought KARIDA1912 even closer — faster, smarter, more personal.

With a focus on our digital image, we added new made in Italy brands and advanced AI features that make navigation easier and search even faster.

With a renewed e-shop, smoother navigation, new imagery, free shipping & returns, and international service across Europe, the experience became more effortless and more your own.

Because while style travels, quality always stays in KARIDA1912.

With a legacy that begins in 1912, KARIDA1912 continues to evolve — always with the same respect for tradition and aesthetic that shaped the brand.

In 2025, our store in the center of Thessaloniki got a new, renovated space – a few steps down the street, in the same beloved neighborhood of Mitropoleos. In the same year, we welcomed our audience to Mediterranean Cosmos, with another store in a different neighborhood of the city.

In each of our spaces, experience, materials and selection meet personal contact.

At the same time, through karida-shoes.com, we continue to offer our entire collection, with the same dedication to detail and service.

Because for us, style knows no boundaries - only character.