Josetta Balford felt strongly that something was missing from the fashion landscape of downtown Cleveland. So, armed with a passion for shoes, a background in fashion design and a degree in fashion merchandising from Virginia Marti College, she set out to do something about it.
Sugar Footwear opened its doors on June 4, 2009, providing shoe-savvy Clevelanders with a terrific venue to experience the latest styles and trends in footwear from around the globe. This small, high end boutique is sleek and simple, packing a powerful punch with lines direct from high-end London boutiques, like Bourne UK and Poetic License. It also features quality brands such as Nicole and Go Max, which are relatively inexpensive but boast attractive, quality construction and detailed leather insoles.
Sugar Footwear is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. and is located at 1415 West 9th St. Don't be fooled by their unassuming exterior; a 3-D sign is scheduled to appear in the coming weeks.
Stores like DSW, which also carry higher-end products, lack the personalized attention to detail that a proprietor like Josetta can provide. She keeps an eye trained on the international scene, explaining that the United States is generally three years behind fashion meccas like Italy and Spain, where this fall we'll be seeing spats and thigh-high boots.
Although, if you are looking for something a little more down to earth, Josetta understands that it is important to keep abreast of local trends, and continues to attend trade and fashion shows to maintain her edge.
At Sugar Footwear, you can find shoes for all occasions and, with shoes ranging from $60 to $350, shoes within your price range, whether your wallet is from Gucci or Target.
Even if a new pair of shoes isn't on your agenda, stroll by and check out Sugar Footwear's other items, like outerwear, jewelry, handbags by Latico, and scarves and throws by Hale Bob.
Sugar Footwear has style and wedding consultations, an excellent return policy, and best of all, you don't need a passport. Whether you want to pay $300 for a bag because you love it and have to have it (and really, who hasn't felt that way?) or you're looking for something at a more moderate price point, you're likely to find something at Sugar Footwear.
