A well-established, family-owned boutique-style shoe business is moving into the Elm Street space occupied until recently by Walin & Wolff.
Shoe-Inn is to open this fall at 36 Elm St. in New Canaan. Credit: Michael Dinan
Shoe-Inn has eight tri-state area locations and members of the family that launched the business in 1972 travel each year to Italy and work with factories there that produce shoes exclusively for the U.S. company, officials said.
Peter Lawson, a fourth-generation owner of Shoe-Inn, said the business hopes to open at 36 Elm St. by the end of October.
“Westport is one of our better stores and we’ve always loved the area and we’re trying to expand,” Lawson told NewCanaanite.com. “We had an opportunity in New Canaan and I just think it’s going to be a home run.”
Shoe-Inn brands include Priori, Podere, Axel, Dusano, Select and Santorini.
Shoe types sold at Shoe-Inn and through the company’s ecommerce channel include pumps, sandals and loafers as well as flats, boots and “fashion sneakers,” according to its website.
Walin & Wolff, a designer shoe retailer who had occupied the space on Elm Street for more than five years, closed all three of its locations—here as well as in Southport and Rye, N.Y.—in July.
Tucker Murphy, executive director of the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce, said it was “nice to see that it didn’t take long to fill this premium Elm Street location.”
“We look forward to working with Shoe-Inn and welcome them to New Canaan,” she said.
The building owners were surprised by the wallin and wolf closing for health reasons and went out to find an outstanding shoe retailer who understands the new canaan market. We welcome peter and know he and his staff will be a long term tenant