1237 S. Michigan, (312)834-0909 
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Goods: Shoes and accessories for women. Designers: Shoes by Chie Mihara, Corso Como, CYDWOQ, Camper and Paco Gill; handbags by Cate Adair; candles by Seda France. Owner: Tiffany Bullock ditched a fifteen-year career in finance to open a shop devoted to her true passion. Vibe: Uncluttered, organized and full of joy. Bullock’s enthusiasm and knowledge make this a fun, easy shopping experience. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: Shoes from this collection are for the gal who wants to rock the current trends, but isn’t willing to sacrifice comfort. Luckily, the naked eye can’t see bonuses like the extra padding near the toe of a Corso Como heel. Shopper’s Perks: Bullock makes a point to stock shoes that will flatter all types of feet, so both wide-soled and narrow-footed shoe lovers can find something that looks and feels great. The Thing for Spring: Bullock is excited about the collections from Gee WaWa, Sinela and Calleen Cordero.
1917 N. Damen, (773)384-7223, shopgrace.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Shoes and handbags for women. Designers: Anya Hindmarch, Jean-Michel Cazabat, Gwendolyn Carrie; Wellingtons by Hunter; purses by Cate Adair. Owner: Kristi Ryan left her position as an executive recruiter to open a store that puts sophistication back into everyday footwear. Vibe: Modern and breathtakingly uncluttered, Grace showcases each shoe prominently, giving each sole room to shine. Shoe expert Ryan is almost always on hand to offer advice and designer info. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: Just because you’re going to the office doesn’t mean you have to wear dowdy, uninspired footwear. Ryan stocks chic, classic, long-lasting shoes that you can take from the office to dinner to dancing without losing a stylish step. Shopper’s Perks: Many of Grace’s designers aren’t well known in the US, and several of their lines are Chicago exclusives. The Thing for Spring: The handmade-in-Italy shoes and bags from Dusica Kotur Sacks.
There are those who love shoes, and there are those who love shoes. Kristi Ryan falls into the latter category. The proprietress of Grace, a new Bucktown shoe boutique, is bringing a whole new world of footwear to Chicago. And though her soles may be considered “high-end,” owner Ryan hopes shoppers won’t reserve them solely for special occasions.
“I want the phrase ‘high-end’ not to be synonymous with a wedding, or a night out,” Ryan says. “I think it’s important to have shoes that people will get a lot of wear out of.” Just don’t confuse wearable with plain or dowdy. The shoes carried by Grace are fancy, flirty and full of class; they just happen to be versatile enough for everyday wear. Kristi’s kicks can be paired with everything from jeans to tights to a little black dress.
Ryan, a former executive recruiter, opened her shop with a major goal in mind. “I set out to find unique brands that aren’t popular in Chicago, or even in the U.S.,” she says. She has succeeded. Most of the brands carried at her store are exclusive to Chicago, so the chances of standing next to your shoes at a party are quite slim. Adorning the simple shelves in the marble-and-wood store are flats by British designer Anya Hindmarch, Elizabeth Brady’s Italian handmade heels and shoes by Gwendolyn Carrie, who is best known for her use of fish skin. In addition, Ryan stocks nine different types of Wellingtons (and Wellington warmers, too, for those brutal winters), purses by Alexis Hudson, and hobo bags and totes by Cate Adair, costume designer for “Desperate Housewives.”
Ryan is definitely one who loves shoes. But her affinity for them has been less of a torrid affair and more of a long-standing, stable relationship. “Shoes are easy,” she says. “Sometimes your clothes can fit weirdly or feel uncomfortable, but shoes always fit right, they always look good, and if you take care of them they can last forever.” (Molly Each)
Grace is located at 1917 North Damen, (773)384-7223, www.shopgrace.com.
Tiffany Bullock has an MBA in finance, marketing and strategy. She also loves shoes. A lot.
So much so, in fact, that she abandoned her fifteen-year-long career in finance to open her very own shoe store on Michigan Avenue. “I know what I love—I love shoes,” she says. “What woman doesn’t?” Taking the advice of a former professor who said that at some point, “everyone needs to go out and do their own thing,” Bullock made her vocationally changing decision on her way home from a vacation.
“I ended up coming back, [and] getting a job at Nordstrom to get some retail experience,” she says. Now, she is running House of Sole—which features shoes and accessories from Spain, Italy, China, Brazil, UK and the U.S., with prices ranging from $60-$690. But don’t ask Tiffany to pick a favorite pair of kicks. “I’m talking in front of the shoes right now—you’re asking me which are your favorite kids!” she jokes.
Bullock does admit she likes Chie Mahara of Spain for her wide-foot type—a big theme behind the store as well. “I believe in working with…the foot type of the customer,” she says. Whether it’s a flat foot, high in step, low in step, working with those types of feet, [you] can tell which type of shoe…will work for them.” She says Chie Mahara is a great pick, because the designers used to be in orthopedic foot sales. She is also a fan of Paco Gill, another Spanish designer that is available in Chicago only at House of Sole, because “they seem to cross a lot of foot types.”
As for the accessories, House of Sole carries handbags (whose designers include Cate Adair, fashion designer for “Desperate Housewives”), jewelry, t-shirts and the Oprah-approved Seda France candles.
“There’s something in here for everyone,” Bullock says. After all, as she puts it, “Your walk tends to change when you find that perfect pair of shoes for you.” (Nicole Briese)
House of Sole, 1237 South Michigan, (312)834-0909
