Elmwood Village Shoes, The Walk Shop and Sole Terra Shoes create value for patrons through service, quality, and experience.
BERKELEYSIDE — Not content to be merely a walkers’ paradise, Berkeley has emerged as an enclave for specialty shoe stores. Home to at least half-a-dozen independently-owned shoe retailers — each with a distinct sensibility — as well as three shoe repair outlets, Berkeley offers walkers a wealth of options for lacing up in style and comfort while supporting small local shops.
“Shoes are something that people like to come into a store to touch and feel and get professional help with,” said Jason Kohn, manager of Elmwood Village Shoes. “We offer a personalized experience. We measure feet and make recommendations — often it’s something that someone hadn’t thought of before.”
Owner Mark Freeberg opened Elmwood Village Shoes at its current location in Berkeley’s Elmwood District (College Avenue near Ashby) in 1991 as a Euro shoe store. In the footwear industry, Euro shoes refer to those manufactured by high quality European vendors. They tend to have cushioned bottoms, oblique toes and robust arch support, lending the shoes comfort for anyone who has to be on their feet a lot. Today, the selection at Elmwood Village Shoes includes pairs from Josef Seibel, Ecco, Dansko, Pikolinos and Naot.
“We get a lot of customers who are looking for a comfortable sandal or walking shoe for a vacation but don’t want to have to pack too many pairs,” Freeberg said. “Often people come in and we can find them something that offers all-day walking comfort but also looks good for going out to dinner at night.”
Having the right shoes in the right sizes is part of how Helen Reid, owner of The Walk Shop on Vine Street in the North Shattuck district, keeps sales steady in an era of e-commerce…