A New Shoe Store To Love In Larchmont
There’s a new shoe store in town and it’s one that women and children alike are guaranteed to love—and not just because that’s a part of its name. Love Shoes—which opened on Aug. 20 in Larchmont—carries many items in addition to shoes, including handbags, jewelry and scarves, with more to come, according to owner Ellie Devito.
A brightly lit, airy atmosphere greets customers as they browse the merchandise. Witty quotes from Marilyn Monroe and Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw referencing shoes line the walls. The new, completely renovated store occupies the space of longtime children’s shoe retailer Plaza Bootery, which closed in April after 40 years. Love Shoes also fills the void left by women’s shoe store Plaza Too, which closed last year after 26 years in Larchmont.
Devito, 35, and a resident of Crestwood, also owns clothing and accessories boutique Love by Bella Fiora, located next door to her new store. “Everyone was joking with me that I had to open a shoe store after Plaza Too went out of business, because after that there was no place local to buy women’s shoes,” she said via a telephone interview.
“I really wasn’t interested because I was busy with my clothing store. Then, Plaza Bootery closed and the location was perfect. My husband, William, is the one who really encouraged me to open a shoe store, mainly because I know and have good relationships with lots of the women in town and their families.”
Love Shoes carries brands for women that include Stuart Weitzman, Michael Kors and Cole Haan. “We also carry rain boots by Hunter and dress boots—La Canadienne being one brand— as well,” she said. Price points range according to make and style. “We have ballet flats that start at $60 to boots for $695,” said Devito. “We carry the better brands but there’s something for everyone price-wise.”
The store carries shoes from over 40 different designers. “The next two weeks we’ll be getting in more stock,” she said.
Devito also brought in Plaza Too’s longtime shoe buyer as a consultant. “I never feel like I know everything—I am always learning—so I want good people to help me pick the best products.”
Count Love Shoes’ women’s shoe buyer Vanessa Seide, 33, among those people. “I come from the design end, so it’s good to be on the retail side and use my experience to help people pick the right shoe,” she said. “Everyone is excited by what we have to offer.”
Store Manager and children’s shoe buyer Carolina Lopez, 32, and a resident of Harrison, agrees. “We have a gorgeous selection, and everyone knows and trusts Ellie,” she said. “We have styles that are trendy and current yet appeal to many tastes.”
The younger set can also enjoy an array of footwear, with more to come for back-to-school. “We carry the European lines—Naturino, Umi and Primigi among them—as well as Stride Rite and Skechers,” Devito said. “We’ll also be getting kids’ socks in soon.”
Devito will also begin to expand Love Shoes’ line for tweens, a burgeoning market. “Michael Kors and Stuart Weitzman have juniors’ brands that we plan to carry,” she said. The store also offers children’s boots and raincoats.
What would footwear be without the right accessories to compliment it? Love Shoes covers that question as well. “We have lots of fun and trendy jewelry styles,” said Devito. Baubles range from $28 to $98. Handbags can be found in a range of styles. “We sell a lot of clutches for evening, plus we have handbags by designers such as Michael Kors and Cole Haan,” she added. Scarves range from $40 to $78.
Devito is clearly ready for what Love Shoes has to offer customers. “I really enjoy working with clientele and building relationships with them,” she said. “I have existing customers who come from my other store as well and I am getting lots of new people, which is great. I encourage people to go outside the box and try new styles that will flatter them and look good.”
