Shoe Mania

Profile

One of Union Square’s most established landmarks, this bustling footwear emporium claims the title of largest shoe store in the city. The range of men’s and women’s name-brand kicks is mind-bogglingly wide (the Converse collection alone could fill a shop), but the inventory is limited—trendy downtown kicks like Keds and slip-on Vans fly off the shelves quickly and can be hard to find in the right size. However, new shipments arrive every Monday, and there are plenty of other options: Doc Martens, Crocs, and Pumas, as well as more trendy names like Minnetonka and Lacoste. All the bases are covered, from sporty to stylish. The store’s tightly-spaced shelves and central location mean the showroom occasionally gets as packed as the sidewalk outside, but the bargain area downstairs offers a welcome, if slightly warehouse-like, respite from the madness—plus discounts of up to 80%. And if the cramped upstairs quarters and blue-shirted staff’s brusqueness get to be too much, there are three other smaller ShoeMania locations in Manhattan: one just a couple of blocks away at 30 E. 14th St., and two in midtown. — Alex Littlefield