By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published Sep 13, 2003 at 5:38 AM

There's something about the sight of leaves changing colors that makes me crave shoes. It stems from grade school, when Mom would load us into the back of her Dodge Dart, and drive to the store to buy new shoes for the school year. Sometimes I'd get the pair I wanted: white moccasins with hard soles or Tretorns with the pink V-shaped logo, but often Mom picked something brown and sturdy like her meatloaf.

It's been a few years since I was a student, yet around the middle of August I take a look at my sandals and flip-flops, and long for loafers, platforms, boots and sneakers.

Here in Wisco, we're fortunate to have access to all kinds of footwear, from fashionably fun to functional. If you tend toward the fashionably fun side of shoewear, you should note that Sara Guza, Footgear manager, claims boots and tennies will rule the shoe world this fall. "Pointy-toed, western-but-not-too-western boots will be very popular for women," she says, "and the athletic look will continue to be popular for both women and men."

Here's a list of some of the city's finest places to feed your foot fetish, or to simply buy something comfortable and easy to clean. In any case, happy shopping!

9 West
Mayfair Mall
(414) 443-1179
Upscale shoes for women, from super casual to big night out.

Aldo
Mayfair Mall
(414) 475-1750
Features a super selection of modern-and-not-so-edgy shoes and boots.

Closet Classics Caffeine & Clothing
1000 E. North Ave., (414) 265-1950
If you haven't visited Closet Classics in its new Riverwest location, it's time. The shoe selection is hit-or-miss, with lots of styles but only a few sizes of each. However, if you happen to find your size, it's just as satisfying as finding the perfect shirt at a Goodwill, because the shoes--and the clothes-- are unique, affordable and rare. And unlike shopping at a chain store, you won't see your fashion doppleganger coming and going.

DSW Shoe Warehouse
2265 N. Mayfair Rd., (414) 443-0115
Shoes for as far as the eye can see. All styles, all sizes.

Famous Footwear/Warehouse Shoes
1033 W Silver Spring Dr., (414) 535-1063
5656 S. Packard Ave., (414) 769-0588
17300 W. Bluemound Rd., (262) 821-3020
N84 W15700 Appleton, (262) 255-0566
325 E. Silver Spring Dr., (414) 332-5503
14075 W. National Ave., (262) 786-0501
5000 S. 76th, (414) 282-4111
2543 N. Mayfair Rd., (414) 476-1609

House of Birkenstock
17700 W. Capitol Dr., (262) 377-3220
Birks now come in styles that fit everyone's tastes: From classic hippie sandals to really sharp-looking men's and women's work shoes.

Ma Jolie Foot Gear
Bayshore: 5900 N. Port Washington Rd., (414) 961-8210
Downer: 583 N. Downer Ave., (414) 961-8202
A pioneer in fashionable foorwear in the Milwaukee area, Ma Jolie is pricey, yet worth it, and the sales are something every shoe lover should attend.

Mr. Shoe
1533 N. Farwell Ave., (414) 277-0660
Mr. Shoe recently expanded, and now features two rooms of footwear, from classic clogs to thigh-high, white vinyl boots. Hootchie mamas, club goers, shoe sluts and fashion freaks: This is your shop.

Picardy Shoes Parlor
11035 N. Port Washington Rd., (262) 241-5578
18900 W. Blue Mound Rd., (262) 784-3434
Two very classy digs offering more than 30 lines of upscale women's shoes.

Shoo shoostore.com
241 N. Broadway (414) 765-2355
Kate Blake opened Shoo in November '05 as the Third Ward's first shoe boutique. The majjorioty of her hip-to-the-max inventory is European (of course), with labels out of Italy, France, Spain and London, England. She also sells bags and belts.

Sweet Kicks  sweet-kicks.com
2327 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 727-7800
Bay View's sweet little shoe shop opened in fall '05 to offer shoe shoppers fashionable brands such as Camper, Ben Sherman, Bronx, Le Coq Sportif, Irregular Choice, Onitsuka Tiger and Gola.


Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.

Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.