Danceshoppe

I had an excellent experience here for pointe shoes. For my first pair, I went to another store and ended up with a really awful fit: too wide, bad quality company etc. I decided to try out the Danceshoppe because they carry many brands like Bloch and Russian Pointe. You don’t have to make an appointment, which is nice.
I ended up with a pair of Bloch Amelie and I am so happy with them compared to my first pair. They were the first shoe the fitter chose. She allowed me to try on numerous other pairs and was very helpful while I talked it out. They really are so much better than my first pair where I was sinking and unable to really «get over the box». Now I can easily get over the box and they look stunning!
Also, if you are not into sewing your ribbons and elastics they offer the service for a reasonable price.

Note: I believe it’s important to go in detail about my experiences with Danceshoppe because of the nature of the precision required in pointe shoe fitting.
But a TL;DR version if you must:
— Good first experience prompted my second fitting with them
— Poor second experience due to not so skilled fitter with too much ego and defensiveness
— Dismissed my comments and concerns thus resulting in purchasing extremely ill-​fitted shoes
— Charged 5% restocking fee for existing ‘dirt and marks’
— Denied taking away ribbons I already paid for but the issue is still unsettled (will update when resolved)
— No refund unlike other shops in the city (The Shoe Room and Dancewear Centre), forced to still give them money for shitty service
Danceshoppe claims to have «highly trained» pointe shoes fitters, and I concur after having a good experience with them for my first fitting. The fitter was attentive, patient, easygoing, and extremely helpful in that she addressed the issues and comments I gave about each pair of shoes I tried on. Unfortunately, the second fitting was nowhere like the first time — in fact, I realize at home that the shoes I got were extremely ill-​fitted. Consequent experiences with the store were also less than desirable.
The woman who fitted me (different person than the first) failed to check on my shoes when I tried them on. I would describe to her how I feel in them expecting her to give me feedback but all she did was hand me shoes. Many pairs were way too loose (at least a full size up) or too small to even get my foot in. She did zero examination unlike the lady at my first fitting. I brought up the foot pinching issue but all she did was reply (paraphrasing) «Really? That’s weird.» She did nothing to help solve the problem. I felt like I was trying to figure out an equation that has no solution. How can a store claim that their fitters are «fitting specialists» when the shoes I was handed were all over the place?
After I realized the fitting issue I returned for an exchange a week later and encountered the same fitter. As soon as I explained to her how the shoes were ill fitted she became defensive. It was as if she was implying that I was making up excuses to return the shoes. To me, her ego was just too high that she resorted to defensive attitude any moment I mention how the shoes she handed me didn’t feel right. She also didn’t believe me when I told her that I only tried them at home because there was a smudge on the platform. In the end I was docked 5% restocking fee for these. I was so annoyed at this whole situation that I just wanted to get out right away.
But the problems didn’t stop there. She took away the ribbons I had purchased previously but I only realized this after coming home. I called to inform them of this and she said she didn’t remember seeing or taking any ribbons from me. I stood my ground and told them it happened and I will come back next time to pick them up.
Every time I look at my new pointe shoes I’m disappointed and irritated by the fact that I gave my money to them despite the horrible service – or should I say that particular fitter – I got. It’s been over a week since this happened and I still have a bitter taste of it in my mouth. If they offered refunds on their products I would have snatched my money back and went to another store. Now you can bet that I’m never giving them a dime again.

The BEST place to shop for pointe shoes, whether you are unsure about what to get, or know your brand/​size but are interested in learning about the new models.

THE place to buy pointe shoes in the GTA. I bought my first pair of pointe shoes here. They have a wide selection of brands (repetto, bloch, capezio, grishko, chacott, freed, sansha etc.) and very knowledgeable and patient staff. If they don’t have the shoes you want, they can do special orders as well. They keep a record of your purchases in the computer so you can keep track of which styles you liked or didn’t like and what size you are in different brands.
Danceshoppe also carries anything else you need for dance class — soft shoes (ballet/​jazz/​ballroom), beautiful Mirella leotards, warm-​ups, accessories, dance bags, and DVDs/​CDs/​books/​magazines.
A bit out of the way (Sheppard, west of Yonge) but worth it.