Uyeda Shoe Store

I'm getting too fat. I need to exercise. The only form of exercise that I'm capable of doing lately is walking. But I needed new shoes. I first went to Sports Authority. They got uku jillion shoes to select from. A few of you may know from my earlier blog post entitled jalna's Lazy Man Strawberry Shortcake, that given too many choices I will get an anxiety attack and end up not choosing anything, which is precisely what happened. I left.

I decided to go to family-owned Uyeda Shoe Store in University Square at the corner of King and University. They've been around since 1915 and specialize in comfortable footwear.
Do you remember back in the day when the shoe salesman would measure your feet, bring out some shoes, sit on the floor , use the shoe horn and slip your foot in the shoe? That's how it is here. I got this really homey, nostalgic feeling being in the store.

This is Claire Takashima, third-generation owner of the store. She was just what I needed . . . someone who would decide for me what shoe I needed. I told her that I was looking for walking shoes and slippers. I complained that the shoes I currently use made my feet hurt after only a few minutes of walking. She asked what kind of shoes I use. I said, "My mom's hand-me-downs." She said, "Ohhhhhh." She asked me what kind of slippers I use. I said, "Ones that my son's ex-girlfriend left behind when they broke up." She said, "Ohhhhhh."

Claire was wonderful. She brought two different shoes for me to try . . . . perfect. I can easily choose between two pairs. I chose this Brooks . . . veeeery comfortable. It was $120.

I asked to see arch supports and she showed me these. They were 40 bucks!!! I thought oh well I guess it's about time I spent money on some good foot gear.

So since I was already dishing out the big bucks, I also got these Teva slippers - $50! I'm still keeping Taryn's rubber slippers though . . . just in case I gotta walk on the beach or in mud or something.