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Philly's 12 Best Indie Shoe Boutiques

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Our first-ever Shoe Week wouldn't be complete without a look at Philadelphia's best shoe shops. Here, we've side-stepped department stores and mega-chains to focus on the area's best independent footwear boutiques. Whether you're a sneakerhead or a lover of Manolos, these 12 stores (presented alphabetically) have you covered.


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Abakus Takeout

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This under-the-radar Chinatown shop is the place to go for limited-release Nikes.

Benjamin Lovell Shoes

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WIth five area locations, Benjamin Lovell carries men's and women's footwear from Clarks, Camper, Born, Antelope, and many more. The shop's South Street shop has a must-see sale section in the back of the store.

Blue Sole Shoes

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Expect a mix of European men's footwear labels like Magnanni, Donald Pliner, Mauri, and Mezlan.
Boyds' selection of men's and women's designer footwear is unsurpassed in Philly. Expect labels like Gucci, Prada, Manolo Blahnik, Lanvin, and Tod's.

Bottino Uomo

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On the menu at this upscale men's European footwear boutique? A label lineup that includes Ted Baker, Bruno Magli, Mauri, Zelli, Mezlan, and Bacco Bucci.

Bus Stop

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This Fabric Row shoe shop has established a loyal clientele with an ever-revolving mix of funky footwear from United Nude, John Fluevog, Esska, 80%20, and many more.

Head Start Shoes

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Italian designer names take center stage at this Rittenhouse Row footwear shop. Be on the lookout for shoes and buttery leather boots by Fiorentini & Baker, Via Roma, and Ixos.

Sherman Brothers Shoes

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With stores in Philly, Montgomeryville, and Haverford, Sherman Brothers delivers quality men's footwear from Red Wing, Allen Edmonds, Clarks, Sebago, Cole Haan, and many more.

Sole Control

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Rare, limited-edition sneakers are the specialty at Sole Control, where you can pick up a pair of gently-used sneakers at consignment prices.

UBIQ Walnut Street

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A favorite among sneakerheads, Ubiq is considered by many as the area's top shop for hard-to-find shoes from Nike, Reebok, New Balance, Bape, adidas, Vans, and Converse.

Vagabond

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This Old City boutique is where you'll find cutting edge designs from the likes of Rachel Comey, Soludos, Miista, Dieppa Restrepo, and Maguba.

Vivi G Shoes

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With stores in Wayne and Glen Mills, ViVi G. Shoes houses women's footwear from Melissa, Pour La Victoire, Kate Spade, Tory Burch, Corso Como, and Hunter, to name a few.

Abakus Takeout

This under-the-radar Chinatown shop is the place to go for limited-release Nikes.

Benjamin Lovell Shoes

WIth five area locations, Benjamin Lovell carries men's and women's footwear from Clarks, Camper, Born, Antelope, and many more. The shop's South Street shop has a must-see sale section in the back of the store.

Blue Sole Shoes

Expect a mix of European men's footwear labels like Magnanni, Donald Pliner, Mauri, and Mezlan.

Boyds

Boyds' selection of men's and women's designer footwear is unsurpassed in Philly. Expect labels like Gucci, Prada, Manolo Blahnik, Lanvin, and Tod's.

Bottino Uomo

On the menu at this upscale men's European footwear boutique? A label lineup that includes Ted Baker, Bruno Magli, Mauri, Zelli, Mezlan, and Bacco Bucci.

Bus Stop

This Fabric Row shoe shop has established a loyal clientele with an ever-revolving mix of funky footwear from United Nude, John Fluevog, Esska, 80%20, and many more.

Head Start Shoes

Italian designer names take center stage at this Rittenhouse Row footwear shop. Be on the lookout for shoes and buttery leather boots by Fiorentini & Baker, Via Roma, and Ixos.

Sherman Brothers Shoes

With stores in Philly, Montgomeryville, and Haverford, Sherman Brothers delivers quality men's footwear from Red Wing, Allen Edmonds, Clarks, Sebago, Cole Haan, and many more.

Sole Control

Rare, limited-edition sneakers are the specialty at Sole Control, where you can pick up a pair of gently-used sneakers at consignment prices.

UBIQ Walnut Street

A favorite among sneakerheads, Ubiq is considered by many as the area's top shop for hard-to-find shoes from Nike, Reebok, New Balance, Bape, adidas, Vans, and Converse.

Vagabond

This Old City boutique is where you'll find cutting edge designs from the likes of Rachel Comey, Soludos, Miista, Dieppa Restrepo, and Maguba.

Vivi G Shoes

With stores in Wayne and Glen Mills, ViVi G. Shoes houses women's footwear from Melissa, Pour La Victoire, Kate Spade, Tory Burch, Corso Como, and Hunter, to name a few.