LINCOLN SQUARE — A steady stream of customers has passed through the doors of Piggy Toes children's shoe store in recent days, attracted by deep discounts on Uggs and other top brands during the shop's final closing sale.
"I wish it was like this all the time," said manager Jessica Quiles.
Despite being located in one of the city's most family-friendly neighborhoods and within walking distance of several elementary schools, Piggy Toes ultimately couldn't compete against online offerings, she said.
So the owners of the store at 4548 N. Western Ave. are calling it quits when the shop's lease runs out in February, according to Quiles.
"We know it's all Zappos," she said. "Online is killing us terribly."
Some shoppers have even popped in during the final sale, checked out Piggy Toes' discounts, and then logged onto sites such as Amazon to compare prices, Quiles said.
Christi Christian, prompted by a "Go to Piggy Toes" text from a friend, stopped into the store with her daughter looking for winter boots and acknowledged she was part of the problem.
With three children to wrangle, "I rarely go in a store," said Christian.
"For me, it's not the pricing, it's more a convenience thing," she said. "It's so bad, because I love the act of shopping."
Shoes at Piggy Toes — for infants through 12-year-olds — are 30 percent off through Christmas Eve. Some are priced at 50 percent off and a small selection of shoes are $20. Accessories are 40 percent off. Further markdowns will be taken Jan. 2, Quiles said.
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