Sole Searching

By
October 2022 View more


Miroballi Shoes

Miroballi Shoes

WHEATON

This downtown Wheaton shoe store has longtime roots in the Chicago area. “The business was established in 1959 in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago, which my father, Joseph, and my uncle Vito started with a shoe repair and shoe store,” says Tony Miroballi, who now owns the business with his brother, Perry. The staff specializes in finding the right shoe for every foot, whether you have high arches, plantar fasciitis, or are just looking for a cute new pair of Birkenstocks (the deep inventory of styles and colors is impressive.) The store is well stocked in both athletic and fashion brands, from high-end Israeli brand Naot to cushy-as-clouds Hoka sneakers.                
124 N. Hale St., miroballishoes.com

Good to know: The Miroballis own a second store in Orland Park and also run two New Balance stores in Naperville and Geneva. 

Gotskind’s Children’s Shoes & Clothing

NAPERVILLE

Saul Gotskind opened his first shoe store in Chicago in 1934; when he retired, son David opened this location in downtown Naperville 38 years ago. “Now we are getting the kids I took care of 37 years ago bringing in their kids,” says David, who owns the shop with wife Gail; their daughter Andrea Gotskind Hamad works as manager. Browse children’s gym shoes by Tsukihoshi, Pediped, Saucony, and Stride Rite as well as Keen sandals and Kamik winter boots. The store also stocks kids’ clothing, toys, and gifts. 115 W. Jefferson Ave.

Good to know: Staff members navigate foot issues such as pronation and also are experienced getting just the right fit for kiddos with special needs. 


The Gallery

The Gallery

GLEN ELLYN

Glen Ellyn resident Scott Lupa started collecting new and used sneakers and streetwear in high school, and by 2018 at age 19 he had built enough of a business online to open a storefront. “I was sitting with my dad in downtown Glen Ellyn and I saw all the high school kids leaving Glenbard West for lunch and I was like, ‘This is perfect,’ ” Lupa says. “I grew up here, so I thought it would be pretty cool to stay here.” He buys, sells, and trades the hottest sneakers of the moment—from Nike Dunks and Air Jordans to Yeezy slides and foam runners—which, depending on their condition, might be priced anywhere from $50 to $2,000—or up to $3,000 for rare finds.          
528 Duane St., thegallery630.com

Good to know: The shop also sells jackets, hoodies, and more from labels such as Bape, Supreme, and Chrome Hearts.

Photos courtesy of Tony Miroballi (Miroballi Shoes), The Gallery, and Gotskind’s