Soak, a shoe company started by two New York fashion designers, reached its $25,000 Kickstarter fundraising goal this week and hopes to begin producing sandals in Maine by late spring.

Michelle Vale and Elena Corsano designed an ergonomic slide sandal that will be produced by G&G Products in Kennebunk. Vale and Corsano said they hope to reinvigorate the state’s shoemaking business and, if the sandal leads to a full-fledged brand, create more jobs in the state by producing other items in Maine.

The two launched the Kickstarter campaign in Portland early in March. They reached their $25,000 goal, which will allow them to make shoe molds, three days ahead of the campaign’s end.

Those contributing to the goal could receive anything from the company newsletter to a meeting with Vale and Corsano and slide sandals and pouches to hold them in every color they will produce. The average pledge was about $100 – those who contributed $65 or more got one pair of slide sandals, a pouch and the newsletter, while those who contributed $120 or more will get two pairs of sandals, pouches for each and the newsletter.

Vale said Tuesday that the next few weeks will be spent creating the injection molds that will be used to make the slide sandals. The goal is to move into production in June and get the sandals to those who pledged money and to retailers in July.


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