UPDATE: O&I is now closed; Piggy Toes has returned to selling only children’s shoes as of September 2008.
2205 North Halsted, (773)281-5583, ptoes.com (for children’s shoes)
Goods: Shoes for men, women and children. Designers: Naturino, Mod 8, Camper, Moschino and L.A.M.B. for kids; Alexander McQueen, 96 Hours, Coclico, Ted Baker, Toms and Ugg for adults. Owner: Husband-and-wife team Michael and Jennifer Thomas created an adjoining adult shoe store for the parents of their Piggy Toes clientele. O&I is named after the Thomas’ children, Olivia and Ian. Vibe: A cute, kid-friendly (think cozy bench and rocking horse) room attaches to a sunny space with shoes adorning the walls and tree-like display racks. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: Clean, unique styles that are comfortable to wear on a daily basis. Shopper’s Perks: When there are only two or three of a shoe style left, they put it on sale immediately, regardless of the season. The Thing for Spring: Metallic shoes provide sparkle throughout the store, while patent leather stays popular for both kids and adults.
