Show-bound men's firms sanguine. (men's footwear manufacturers)

Show-bound men's firms sanguine

NEW YORK -- As they readied themselves for the upcoming national shoe shows here, men's footwear resources said they hoped continuing strong fall sales would carry over into spring.

James Katz, president of Encore Shoe Co., Rochester, N.H., explained that early reorders on fall goods were already received. "There was so little retail done this spring, the public will spend their money this fall," he predicted. "We have fall cutting into early September."

"We start our 1990 push in two weeks," said Bob Hollenbaugh, president of Rocky Boot, Poway, Calif. "Right now our business has been tremendous, up 43 percent per month over last year."

While most companies exhibiting at the show said they would concentrate on their spring lines, others stated they would use the opportunity to keep the autumn season's momentum going. "We will be exhibiting fall and transitional …