WICKER PARK — A shopping destination along Damen Avenue that draws shoe-lovers from Wicker Park and Bucktown is getting another footwear hotspot.
BucketFeet will take over the shuttered Belly Dance Maternity storefront at 1647 N. Damen Ave., Crain's reported Tuesday.
Known for its unique patterned sneakers designed by local and International artists, BucketFeet sells its shoes at a flagship store, 108 N. State St., and in nine other Chicago shops, including two in Wicker Park: Belmont Army, 1318 N. Milwaukee Ave. and City Soles, 2001 W. North Ave.
Savu Savu sneaks by Chicago artist Jack Muldowny (BucketFeet)
City Soles' owner Scott Starbuck, in a video on City Soles TV, calls BucketFeet shoes "show stoppers."
Starbuck, who is relocating his store to the "High Fidelity" storefront at the northwest corner of Honore and Milwaukee avenues, declined to comment on whether City Soles will continue to sell BucketFeet once a dedicated store opens nearby.
Tony Lee, owner of Belmont Army, was not aware of BucketFeet opening a store in Wicker Park before Thursday, though he said he would discontinue selling the shoes.
"I'm glad there is one less empty storefront and I'm always very excited to see a Chicago-based company get its own store," Lee said.
Belmont Army, which has been carrying BucketFeet sneakers for a few years, currently has five styles, all for women, that are marked down to $46 per pair. BucketFeet shoes usually cost between $65 to $70.
In an email to DNAinfo Chicago, BucketFeet's co-founder and CEO Raaja Nemani said that the brand "will be continuing to work with other retailers in Chicago in addition to our direct presence in [Wicker Park]."
Once open, the store will join several other shoe stores in the 1500 and 1600 blocks of North Damen Avenue such as Nike, TOMS Shoes, Asics and Finish Line. The vast selection has earned that stretch a reputation as the neighborhood's "shoe corridor."
"We went with Bucktown as our next location as we really like the creative, artistic culture of the neighborhood. It's a great shopping area with strong co-tenants — with so many restaurants, bars, music venues, other cultural hot spots and such a diverse group of people, it’s a perfect fit for us. The space is also ideal for us to not only sell shoes, but test artistic programming," Nemani said.
By artistic programming, Nemani means "opportunities for people to learn more about different types of art and the opportunity for them to create their own."
If everything goes as planned, Nemani said the store will open in late spring or early summer and will bring five to 10 new jobs to Damen Avenue.
BucketFeet shoes on sale at Belmont Army (DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser)
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