Our Story - Family Owned, American Made

In 1956, Benny Pinti opened "Modern Day Shoe Repair" on East Main St, Bridgeport, West Virginia. He was trained by his two uncles who learned their trade in Rome, Italy. Benny's father was one of three brothers that came to America; each had their own shop in Clarksburg, West Virginia.

Benny took pride in the long family tradition of craftsmen. He worked long hours to provide for his family, and in 1970 opened Benny's Boot Hill in the Hills Plaza. He continued to repair shoes but also began to sell boots and shoes to working class families.

It grew into a successful business; more and more brands were stocked. All seven of Benny's children worked in the business and grew with the store. Joe and Jon, the youngest of the seven, and identical twins, began helping in the store in the third grade. In 1991, Benny decided to retire and sold the business to their son Joe. He graduated from Fairmont State College and married Pamela Jo Hitt, and together they have carried on the family tradition, with their own family working in the business today.

In 1993, Joe and Pam purchased Aaron's Shoes to add a small location in the Meadowbrook Mall. In 1995, they combined all locations into a 3200 sq. ft. location in the mall but kept a separate location in Morgantown, West Virginia. In 2006, Joe built a beautiful new building that combined all locations into the new 8000 sq. ft. Benny's Boot Hill. Today, Joe carries on the family business with his own family "Under the Big Copper Roof"!