Famous Footwear is moving into the former Nordstrom Shoes space at Ward Centre.

The store will hold a grand opening on Feb. 6, although the doors might open by late January.

It would be the fourth Famous Footwear in Hawaii, in addition to existing stores at Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo on the Big Island, Queen Kaahumanu Center on Maui and Kukui Grove Center on Kauai.

Famous Footwear previously had been open at Dole Cannery on Oahu for about five years, before closing its doors last summer. The store there measured a little more than 6,000 square feet.

“;We're really excited about coming to Ward because then we can reconnect with our Honolulu shoppers,”; said Famous Footwear spokeswoman Erin Conroy.

“;A store of this size enables us to offer shoppers more choices of styles and sizes, as well as making it more likely we'll have their selection in-store when they visit us.”;

The Ward store, at 16,000 square feet, will be more than twice the average size of a Famous Footwear store. It will carry 25,000 pairs of shoes and more than 80 nationally recognized brands that range from Nike to Dr. Martens, Steve Madden, Naturalizer, Skechers and LifeStride.

Fifteen to 20 associates will be hired for the new store.

Besides wider aisles, the new Famous Footwear, which has been under construction for about a month, will feature an interior done in chocolate brown and cherry red and plenty of seating.

“;Ward is a major shopping destination, both for local residents and visitors,”; said Conroy. “;This enables us to really connect with consumers looking for what Famous Footwear offers: nationally recognized brands and value for the family.”;

The store also offers Famous Footwear Home Delivery, where shoppers can order shoes to be shipped to their homes if the right pair cannot be found in the store.

Famous Footwear, part of the Brown Shoe Co. based in St. Louis, has about 1,100 stores across the nation.

A traditional Hawaiian blessing is scheduled on the grand-opening day, along with the Shoe Crazy Shopping Spree, which is an in-store drawing giving winning customers 30 seconds to grab as many free pairs of shoes as they can.

Nordstrom Shoes closed and moved to the full Nordstrom department store at Ala Moana Center, which opened in March 2008.