London keeps it treasures hidden, enclaves of magical mystery divulged by word of mouth.
In a quite corner of the citadel nestled between Tate Britain and St.James Park lies Discount Shoe Sales.
A monika pre internet strap lines, branding and hi-tech logo which provides this quintessential mens shoe store with it’s trump card! This place is traditionalist paradise but not a modern retro theme park zeitgeist, its just not bothered to alter or change in decades.
The overflowing bay window seduces me like an old fashioned sweet shop full of cobbler’s treats, the interior is smorgasbord of 1950’s shop fittings and ceiling high stacks of shoe boxes reached only by extended limbs balanced upon a step ladder. The two charming chaps working in the store tender friendly assurance with a lazy eye ambivalence. No hard sell, no ‘open all hours’ entrapment just plain simple tried and trusted customer care.
From out of this sedated charm, I departed with a pair of Oxblood Tassel Bass Weejuns 20% cheaper than the RRP, a sense of nostalgia and a developing shoe fetish!?
Robert was shoe shopping at Discount Shoe Sales, 31 Strutton Ground
Three images: Bass Weejuns vintage advert from ‘The Ivy Look’, …on Brewer St wearing Loafers from Discount Shoe Sales during LFW : photo @dorin.photography, The Islington Twins – modernists : photo Janette Beckman (1980).
