SeaSoles: Stylish shoes for any occasion
Volume 4: Issue 5 - 05/01/2009
By Nick Bjork
A new women’s shoe boutique in downtown Seaside outfits tourists and locals alike with a variety of stylish footwear intended for any day at the beach.
SeaSoles, located at 10 N. Holladay Dr., Suite A in Seaside’s historic Gilbert District, is the brainchild of longtime product developer and merchandiser Gina Simone. The shop opened on the first day of spring, March 20.
The boutique offers products from fifteen different well-known women’s shoe brands. These include shoes from Franco Sarto, Me Too, Mia, Steve Madden, Rocket Dog, Nine West, and Indigo by Clarks. Although common brands, Simone offers the harder-to-find products from these popular designers.
“I wanted the boutique to be appealing to tourist and locals,” said Simone. “That is why I’m offering unique products from each brand. Locals can get the brands they could normally only get in Portland; and Portlanders can get different things than they see in the usual Portland stores.”
SeaSoles also offers a select variety of jewelry, handbags and other accessories. Regional products include jewelry from the Tumbleweed Bead Co., in Sunriver, Ore., Kristen Ford Jewelry from Seattle Wash., and shoes from MiMo in Lake Oswego, Ore.
Simone created her business around the concept of offering a variety of different shoes made for beach living.
“I wanted shoes that a girl could wear to work, a fancy dinner, walking around in the rain, and even on a trip to the beach.”
Simone has spent several years in the retail business. Her passion for shoes started while attending California State University, Long Beach in Southern California. She began working the cash register at a local shoe store chain during big sales, and eventually worked her way to general merchandise manager. Over a span of 11 years, she was responsible for purchasing over $18 million worth of inventory.
Simone moved to Eugene, Ore., five years ago where she held the position of vice-president of product development for Oak Patch Gifts, a national wholesale gift company. She settled on the Oregon Coast a year and a half ago in order to take a position as director of operations at FosterClub – a local non-profit company located in Seaside.
“I have always had a passion for shoes and the desire to start my own business,” she said. “But I didn’t come up with this actual idea until I looked around and noticed the need for this store in the area.”
When asked about her rationale for starting a retail business in such an ominous economic climate, Simone optimistically pointed out that statistics show businesses started in an economic down turn tend to have more long-term success.
“I didn’t let what is happening in the economy effect my decision to open,” she said. “It has made me much more aware of what I am doing. I’m starting lean, watching my margins and watching my inventory. It is teaching me how to make it through tight times.”
Simone continued, “I truly think there is plenty of opportunity. People are still coming to town, people still want to go on vacation and, to me the beach will always be a destination no matter what the economy looks like.”
Her sense of optimism and vast experience in the field has been paying off. In the first week SeaSoles was open, Simone sold at least one pair of every style of shoe from every brand in the store.
“This is telling me that the brands and styles I have selected are a good fit for around here.”
Hot items thus far include the “Lacie” flat by Me Too and the “Preppy” sneaker by Rocket Dog.
Simone attributed a major part of her early success to other local businesses in the area. She couldn’t believe how many customers had been directed, or made aware of, her store through other businesses.
The community really pulls together for new businesses, so I want to thank everyone and let them know how much I appreciate it.”
SeaSoles
Address: 10 N. Holladay Drive, Seaside
Phone: (503) 738-5033
Hours: Monday and Wednesday through Saturday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.