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The Daily OrangeBest of Shopping
Best Boutique: J. Michael Shoes
By Celina R. Tousignant
Posted: 4/17/07, 10:00 PM EST Section: Best of SU
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College-themed clothing store - Shirt World
It's not just the clothing that makes this place the best place to shop for Syracuse gear. As soon as you walk in, the employees gladly help you explore the store, and their service keeps shoppers coming back. This store has everything from orange and blue overalls to Syracuse lip balm.
Head shop - Down Under Leather
With its natural and relaxed vibe, Down Under Leather has everything a person would need to involve themselves in extra curricular activities Bob Marley would be proud of. The store also has a variety of cool sweatshirts and clothing.
Grocery store - Wegmans
Ask any student why Wegmans is the best and they'll give you thousands of reasons, a reason for every product in the store. Wegmans dominates supermarkets because students like variety, and Wegmans has plenty. There is also a buffet of food available if you are worn down from all the shopping.
Record store - Sound Garden
This popular music store is located downtown, but the commute doesn't stop it from becoming a favorite. The store contains as many new and used DVDs and music a student's heart can handle. Sound Garden has tremendous variety, and it won't take away all your spending money.
Vintage store - Salvation Army
You never know what you are going to find at the Salvation Army, located on Erie Boulevard or who you are going to find there. Salvation Army has vintage clothing for every occasion, even prom dresses. The store even has vintage Syracuse gear without the high cost.
-Courtney Carter, staff writer
Located under the big green awning at 173 Marshall St., J. Michael Shoes is the closest place for Syracuse University students to shop for the latest fashions. It carries quality and popular brands, such as Ed Hardy, Seven Jeans, Lacoste, Vera Bradley, Adidas, UGG and the Northface, to name just a few.
Written on the display windows and on the Web site, J. Michael Shoes is far from lying when it boasts, "If it's hot, it's here!" Its extensive collection of every season's hottest styles makes it the only place in Syracuse for well-dressed fashionistas to have a one-stop-shop.
The store is loyal to its customers by staying on top of the trends.
"We always try to keep what's new and fresh in our store," said Zack Solomon, an employee at J. Michael Shoes who has been working there for two years. Solomon, an SU graduate, also used to shop there as a student.
Customers reciprocate loyalty to J. Michael Shoes because they can always find what they may be looking for, whether it be the new retro high-top Adidas or the summer must-have Vera Bradley beach bag.
"In essence, we give them what they ask for," Solomon added.
Without even walking in, you can see the range of styles available for men, women and even children in the J. Michael Shoes display windows. It is hard to walk by without being drawn in by the freshest kicks.
When the new Converse slip-ons came out, J. Michael Shoes had them. When Crocs became the "it" shoe, J. Michael Shoes had them. And chances are, when the next hot development in footwear happens, J. Michael Shoes will have them.
Becky Lau, sophomore marketing major, likes J. Michael Shoes for the proximity, convenience, selection and quality, but it's the extra mile it goes to make the shopping experience special that keeps her coming back.
"I love the magazine clippings they put in the dressing rooms and on the walls that you see and say 'that's cute!'" Lau says. "It's great to find those items in the store. They carry what a college student would need."
One of the features that sets J. Michael Shoes apart from other stores in Syracuse is its atmosphere. Once you set foot in the store, friendly employees greet you and seemingly endless racks of fun designs send enticing invitations to browse them.
A little Pee-Wee Herman doll sits in a cowboy boot over the women's sale racks in a corner. Ludacris looks down on the Timberland display from a poster hung to the ceiling. Satin headbands and sunglasses frame the glass shelves around the cash registers. It is the funky mix of decoration and merchandise that makes J. Michael Shoes seem more like a best friend's closet and less like a stale department store.
J. Michael Shoes is also seasonally appropriate, which is a huge advantage with the Syracuse weather. Winter have you down? Then a cozy fleece zip up and boots should warm you up. Feeling the heat? Flip-flops and tank tops should cool you off. And when the mood to party strikes, you can always find a great outfit to go out in.
Another feature that makes J. Michael the best is the fact that it carries shoes, clothes and accessories not available in the average Syracuse store. While larger cities like New York or Boston have the merchandise J. Michael Shoes carries, Syracuse and its big city students rely on this boutique to keep in touch with big city style.
"I think we have a good mix of everything - brand names and styles you can't find in Syracuse that metropolitan kids are used to," said Eric Hicks, an assistant manager for J. Michael Shoes.
J. Michael Shoes shoppers look good and know it, because they are wearing the hottest fashions from the top of their Dream Control hat to their New Balance shoes.
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