While most Americans step into Manolos and Nikes that were stitched together thousands of miles away, J & A; Shoe Co. cranks out 50,000 pairs of heels, wedges and thongs every month at a factory 15 miles south of downtown Los Angeles.

Gardena-based J & A; is a part of a dying breed of shoemakers that manufactures all its products domestically, battling formidable competition from corporations that make shoes overseas for pennies a pair.

The family-owned business of 150 employees has managed to survive for nearly three decades because of its customer service and accessibility.

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