WICKER PARK — There are plenty of places to buy women's shoes in Wicker Park, so one local shoe salesman who has long been slinging pumps has re-focused on comfortable yet dressy men's shoes.
"Businesses are closing; everything is going online. We want to offer an online-only men's store with a showroom in Wicker Park," explained Sebestian Malczewski, owner of Figaro European Shoes, which is undergoing a renaming to Dursen.
Several blocks south of the neighborhood's main retail drag — packed with Fluevog, City Soles, Aldo and Steve Madden — Dursen, at 1238 N. Milwaukee Ave., would ideally become a destination for male shoe shoppers, said Malczewski.
Sebestian Malczewski (DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser)
Designed in Europe, made in China and brought to North America by Malczewski and his New York City-based business partner Mark Wilczewski, Dursen men's shoes are made for walking several city blocks.
The Dursen "signature" shoe has an adventurous look that is casual and flexible, while another style, the "fashion or vogue look" is for professional men, Malczewski said.
A third "frosty" look for fall and winter will offer an indoor/outdoor boot that is dressy and waterproof. View all 19 shoes in the inaugural collection.
The shoes, available in sizes 7 to 12, are made with calfskin leather uppers and cost between $85 and $110.
Shoppers can try on a sample pair of shoes in the Wicker Park store but cannot take the pair home because the shoes will be shipped instead, Malczewski said.
When asked the significance or meaning of the Dursen name, Malczewski said he and Wilczewski were looking for a name and were told that it could mean "family" in Chinese.
Dursen (formerly Figaro), 1238 N. Milwaukee Ave. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Ph: 773-227-3502.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
