Village Shoe Boutique

Great prices on everything, especially Birks — I’ll return when it’s time for my next pair.
Instead, today I walked out with a comfy and cute pair of New Balance runners ($ 70). I was actually looking to replace my blundstone-​esque boots on my feet but they didn’t have anything like them and I was convinced that something like that would be too hot for spring anyhow (true). And I actually did need new running shoes.
My feet and my wallet are happy.

Like other Unilocalers have mentioned, I walked by this shoe store for almost TWO YEARS before venturing in on Friday night. I have often remarked to myself «wow those are a good deal», but have always been deterred by the general seediness of some of the «in-​set stores» in this neighbourhood (if you live around here you know what I mean).
However, on Friday, my partner and I were out for a walk, saw some Birkenstocks in the window, and figured we should check it out.
What a pleasant surprise!
We were met by one of the cutest family-​run operations I can remember in some time, and despite that I really didn’t need or want a pair of Birkenstocks, the charm and friendliness of the sales staff (even though they weren’t trying to sell me anything) prevailed. Both of us walked home in our shiny new Birks.
The selection is solid (all quality footwear, no crap), the prices pretty good (lots of sales and shoes at $ 60), and the staff wonderful. We were helped by an older German lady who was as kind as she was knowledgeable.
We are both very happy with our purchases, and I have promised to spread the word about the lovely family-​owned shop. Support local!

I walk by this store all the time coming and going from Ossington station and CIBC, and had never really noticed it. Two days ago, however, a pair of shiny black Kamik ‘Heidi’ boots in the window caught my eye. When I saw the price, $ 40, I immediately went in to investigate. I knew these boots are usually much more expensive (even Zappos charges more) so I tried them on and bought the pair. The store is small and not the kind of place where you can browse unnoticed so the owner was chatting with me, showing me other shoes and boots (a handful of which are vegan, which is what I’m after), and telling me about the lines he carries. Sounds like he prices very competitively across the board, which surprised me b/​c it’s a neighbourhood shop, and has quality brands like Kamik, Sorel, Naturalizer, Birkenstock, etc. Definitely worth a look.
Edit 12/​12/​2011 — Be sure you want your shoes/​boots because I just found my receipt, stamped on the back with ‘SALES FINAL, NO EXCHANGE, NO RETURN’. I’m happy with my boots but would’ve appreciated the manager mentioning this policy before he rang up the sale!

Great shoe store! Within the past week, I’ve been all over Yorkville and the Eaton Centre looking for winter boots. Most stores I went into, the staff didn’t even acknowledge me.
I wandered past The Village Shoe Boutique today and got excellent service immediately. The owner showed me several pairs of boots, brought me multiple sizes to try on and within 20 minutes, I had new winter boots and also a lovely pair of leather walking boots. Franco Sartos for MUCH less than what Town Shoes is currently selling them for.
The next time I need new shoes, I’m coming straight here.

This was a VERY unexpected find in the ‘hood — a small, independent shoe store selling quality stuff at really low for Canada prices. Located a stones throw from the Ossington subway, I admit to having walked by this place for months without ever wandering inside. It’s not that they didn’t have a window chock full of decent mid-​range footwear — it’s not that the clearly marked prices didn’t call out to me — it IS that I have huge feet and very rarely find ANYTHING in a «normal» shoe store.
What finally pushed me through the front door were a pair of Florsheim shoes. «Florsheim?» you yawn languidly… Not just any random pair of mall-​bait Florsheim — but what appeared to be part of the mystical line of Florsheim made in Brazil that several of my friends in the US have been raving about. They are made of butter-​soft leather and feel better than any business class shoe has a right to… As soon as I picked up a pair I knew they were the ones.
The owner was very pleasant and knowledgeable about his products and the footwear industry in general. I was impressed by his ability to guide me towards the best stuff that he had in stock that met my needs. He confirmed my friends’ opinion of the mystical Florsheim line and ACTUALLY had a pair in my size. I tried them on, bought them right away and took them on a month long biz tour of the US. They are truly amazing — fit and feel of shoes costing $ 300+ at a fraction of the price.
I’ve sent several female friends who visiting Toronto in for Sorel and Kamik boots (Canadian boots which I’m told are actually cool in Japan, Australia, and NZ) and they were thrilled with the price/​selection combo. One woman also commented on getting the best price of Franco Sarto ANYWHERE. Admittedly, I have very little knowledge of such things but having seen a couple of the resultant purchases I can report that looked damn good!
I am big believer in the Shop Local movement — so when I find a place like this that offers superb service, selection AND pricing I feel compelled to shout it from the rooftops. Since Unilocal is my preferred rooftop, consider this my shout. Give this shop a try — I’m sure you will be quite pleased with the values contained within.