The Edie’s crew with Dolan, left in blue clogs (Image: Edie’s Shoes with permission to CHS)
With some signs that the downtown retail core is seeping up the Hill, a neighborhood longtimer is celebrating an important — surely, comfortable — milestone.
Edie’s Shoes owner Erin Dolan says she recognizes the challenges of being surrounded by construction, but is optimistic about the future of E Pike. “Construction puts a damper on street life for sure,” she said. “Scaffolding, noise, no parking and construction trucks and crews blocking streets, it all changes people’s shopping patterns, but everyone is doing their best to get through it and we are excited about the future of this street. It will be a great shopping/restaurant/entertainment corridor. In a year’s time East Pike Street will be completely transformed.”
It’s a good time to be optimistic. Edie’s is celebrating 15 years of business this week. You’ll find deals and special events starting this week to celebrate the anniversary.
Edie’s was originally located on E Pine but moved to the overhauled Greenus building on E Pike two years ago.
(Image: Edie’s Shoes)
Since its opening in 2000, Dolan has strived to maintain a solid brick and mortar relationship with Capitol Hill, even as the neighborhood goes through some of its most transformative times.
Dolan said the variety of people she has the opportunity to meet in her store — “from parents bringing in their kids to buy new sneakers, neighbors that drop in on a weekly basis to chat, musicians who come in needing a new pair of shoes for a show” — is one of the benefits of doing business on the Hill. “It is such a cross section of amazing people that come through our doors,” she said. One of Dolan’s best memories in her shop came when a man browsed through their shoes while on first date, and came back months later to buy shoes for his wedding.
Edie’s is still looking to make new relationships with her neighbors on Capitol Hill and fitting their needs “whether for a special occasion or to update a wardrobe and sharing our knowledge of the latest trends.” She hopes many will stop by to help Edie’s celebrate.
Edie’s Shoes is located at 500 E Pike. You can learn more at ediesshoes.com.
