I love this boutique! An Oakland favorite of mine for over 30 years! The owner buys such great quality eclectic shoes, dresses, blouses, scarves, jewelry! Amazing store if you are looking for a uniquely nice quality gift or special outfit for yourself! A must if you're in Oakland! read more

This is the worst place to shop! The owner is very rude! She is not very nice to her employees! The selection of shoes that she has are out dated. read more

wow this shoe store has a rude woman working there. when i handed over a postcard coupon i received in the mail for $20 off, but it turned out the postcard was addressed to a woman previously at my home address and not to me, she said--and i quote--"if you'd stop for a moment and use your brain." don't be so hostile to the customer. get rid of ethel and i might come back to the store, but definitely not until. read more

I use to live around the corner from this cute little shop. I ventured in from time to time to marvel at all the cute but notably comfortable "good for your feet" practical shoes. At the time, I was a bit younger and had not come to respect the beauty in wearing practical shoes. Fairly recently, I have been having more problems with my feet and decided to become a dedicated and regular wearer of super cute, quality, comfortable shoes and decided I wanted to finally buy a pair of Sanita professional clogs. I did what I always do with most things...researched and after many hours determined that Sainta was in fact better than Dansko, for me, and was ready to invest. Typically, I shop for shoes at Nordstroms because of their no fail 100% guarantee, flexible returns and excellent customer care. I decided to try a small independent shop hoping to forge a relationship close to home. I was not at all impressed by the customer service. One particular clerk who is a regular was impatient and rude. She seemed to be upset that I was spending so much time deciding. I was being very careful because I did not want to have to make a return. I left with 3 pair of Sanitas and 2 pair of Keen's. The very next day I returned to exchange the 3 pair of Sanita for a size up. Prior to making the purchase, I was agonizing over either needing a narrow or the next size and was worried I selected wrong. As it turns out the original 39 not 40 where the right choice for my size 8.5 foot. Sadly, I now have 3 pairs of Santa's that are too big. What I take exception with is that when I attempted to make the initial size adjustment well with in the 10 day no return/exchange only policy, I was met with pressure. The sales clerk that helped when I came in to make a simple size change on unworn shoes I had less than 24 hours questioned me a lot and acted very skeptical about the return. The message I got was that we don't like returns even if it is with the short time frame of 10 days and unworn. Not good. People with foot issues or concerns are not likely going to know what works always while in the store. Sometimes you need to go home and try them around the house. In my case, I had not even tried them, it was just a change based on not following my initial mind. The other concern I have is that even though I had shoes that had not been worn after 10 days, I was stuck with them because of the short return window. I will not shop here again because I think there return policy is too strict and I do not like only getting a store credit if I did have a change of heart . It feels like you are bullied into committing to something and once they have your money too late. I do think the shoes are quality and if you do not have foot problems and can be sure when you walk out the door it will work then it might be a okay, For a small shop, I think there customer service is bad and I think the overall attitude is bad. It seems to me that all is well till I get the sale and as long as the money is good then we are good but no real customer care here. Too bad because the shop could really be great. I am going to find another local shop to do business with because personalized care is one of the reasons I think people opt out of the larger chains. If that is lacking then I do not see a point. read more

This is not just a shoes store, they have sooooo much more. I came upon this store while walking down piedmont ave..and I have to say what a find. Not only do they have great shoes. They have just about everything else I could have wanted for my Christmas shopping trip. I bought my daughter a dress, a scraf, and some jewelry. and a few thing for myself. Great selection, good prices. a must see for everyone. If you are not sure what to get that hard to shop for person in your life. Stop into A step forward shoes. YOU will find just the right gift. For them, or yourself. OH and the staff was very helpful. and super nice. read more

One of may favorites. Quirky collection and offer lots of accessories. I am a dancer and have wide and damaged feet from all the rehearsing. Thus, I have some picky feet. A Step Forward is great for offering comfort shoes that don't totally look like orthopedic old lady style. read more

This place looks pretty disorganized when you first walk in (and believe me, it used to be more so) but push on through your first impression - it has a terrific - and unique - selection of shoes, clothing and accessories. I always find something I love there. read more

very nice selection and employees. shoes and hats are moderately priced but i noticed that the clothes are very expensive...

This shop is very charming, and is located on a street in historic Piedmont, which is equally charming. The shoes at this shop are unique, combining style and comfort. The store is very cozy, and there are a wide variety of shoes available from contemporary to European too read more

A Step Forward is the adorable little shop around the corner. I've been shopping here for years, and have acquired a nice collection of leather purses and wallets by Hobo Int. from them during my birthday month discount---20% off all items not on sale!! What a great treat on your birthday! I've also found some wonderful shoes here, and other wearable items, including my coveted ladybug rubber boots. This is a great little neighborhood shop, with an eclectic selection of fashion items. read more

They definitely have some cute shoes, and, when I went, a sale was happening. Prices did seem lower than on similar shoes at other stores. Alas, the layout is INSANE, and made me, a normally not claustrophobic person, just feel like getting out. There is stuff everywhere...shoes stacked up to the ceiling...displays at every which angle and covering every surface...my eye didn't know where to land. I stayed just long enough to know they didn't have the shoes I was looking for. Venture in if you can handle the stimuli. read more

Would not recommend. Advertised a BLOW OUT 2 DAY ONLY SALE. However when I went in to buy an item I spied there a week before on a whim. I was told that that item was not on sale. Even though I had just heard a sales person tell another customer that the only thing not a part of the "blowout" sale were the Ugg boots. Really chickensxxx. I guess they felt guilty and offer me a few dollars off not near the 20% advertised. The store looks like a fire hazard and in near impossible to move through. I won't be going back that's for sure. read more

i love love love love this store esp for their jewelry collection. i love their clothings too, but they can b a bit expensive for a poor college student like me. read more

First let me say, I have loved this store for years. Ulla is the owner and she impresses me with her style and grace. She is a wonderful businesswoman who is fair and kind. Now at this point you my be thinking I know this woman. I don't. I had to ask her what her name was yesterday. I do, however, understand the importance of giving credit where credit is due for a small business. My partner has large feet and she is very fussy when it comes to style and comfort. Ulla's selection always impresses her. A fact that makes me very happy. The price on her selection is actually lower that anywhere on the internet(I had to look). I truly will give her all the business I can in the future. read more

This shop is SUCH a buried treasure. It seems small when you walk by, but they manage to fit an impressive amount of merchandise into the space and have clothing and all kinds of accessories (bags, belts, scarves, tights, jewelry, etc.) in addition to shoes. They're like a mini-department store without all the inconvenience and homogeneity. These ladies have filled my work wardrobe with attractive, distinctive dresses that are so comfortable I feel like I'm still in my pajamas, and I've found some gorgeous cocktail dresses and jackets here as well. Their clothing is very unique and never fails to garner compliments. It's the shoes, though - THE SHOES! - that have been the most amazing find. I've always found it nearly impossible to find comfortable work and dress shoes that don't look frumpy, so now that I've found their selection of shoes that are both good to your feet AND fashionable, I don't go anywhere else. I love being able to shop locally, and their amazing quality, service and prices make it more than worthwhile. read more

great shoe selection, unfortunately the salespeople are unfriendly and unhelpful. i refuse to buy shoes there.

i used to like to browse here. then i bought some shoes. thye didn't fit right and i tried to bring them back the next day for store credit. i had not worn them out of the house ust tried them on in the house. they would not take them. they said they never do. i thought that was pretty lame.... read more