I am doing my best during COVID to stay afloat, just like anyone else. I purchased 2 pairs of shoes. I told the sales associate I would return one pair. I wanted to see which pair of shoes was more versatile so I could have comfortable shoes to work. I came back the next day, not 24 hours later. Tried to return the one pair of shoes. The sales associate pulls up my receipt in the computer, prints it out. Says, " I have to go ask my boss if you can return, did you buy anything else?" I said yes. She leaves, comes back... with the evidence of the sale, and says, " you cannot return. You can have store credit." Sorry Alamo, that's out right steeling money. Yep it's COVID. Everyone is struggling. I patronized your store. I let you know what i was doing. I did not hide anything. I highly recommend anyone reconsider buying from this business. Steeling money will not help anyone stay afloat. read more

What a store for hard to fit feet! I walked in and was greeted by Tony, I asked if he was up for a challenge! I have broken big toes in both feet a neuroma and plantarfaciatis. I removed my shoes he measured me up and said OH. Not a good sign. He then proceeded to find me 5 pairs of shoes, walking to casual to stylish! Did I mention it took over an hour and probably 25+ pairs of shoes? Tony was great. I never felt rushed he never seemed annoyed. This is my new shoe store! It was worth the 45 min drive. read more

Extremely kind, patient and helpful staff. I was looking for hiking boots and while I didn't find the right pair this time around, I'll definitely be back. read more

I have bought 2 pairs of shoes and one pair of sandals there. All of them were expensive. All of them I had to exchange (they do not do returns). So I generally don't buy shoes there anymore. But yesterday, I thought I'd give it a whirl given that I was Christmas shopping in Andersonville, and noticed they had Keens on sale. I love Keens. I don't really need a pair, but I would wear them if I bought a pair on sale. Went in. Found a pair I liked. Wasn't sure if they were on sale, or in my size, and waited. And waited. Walked around a bit looking at other pairs. No one approached me. I wasn't there super long, but long enough to be approached for help. It wasn't very busy either. They were a $100+ pair of shoes. Which is a lot for me, but I would splurge if, you know, I had that extra push. I waited just a bit longer and left. No hi. No goodbye. I like shopping. I like supporting local business. But if someone like me, with a little extra cash for a nice pair of shoes, who doesn't really need them can get in and out of a store like this without a single "hi" or "can I help you", then yeah, I see why people shop through Amazon. If a shoe store can't sell shoes to a gay man in a gay neighborhood, then something is wrong. Update: I was contacted by Richard at Alamo offering me a Keen discount and service if I return to the store. I ended up buying shoes elsewhere, but wanted to add a couple stars as a result. read more

I was looking for a specific HOKA ONE shoe that was just not available on all the sites I typically use. I found the colour that I wanted on ALAMO SHOES. I called to ask a few questions and spoke with the owner Richard. He was awesome. He made suggestions and I took advantage of them and the shoes arrived in two days. The one pair fit perfectly and the 2nd in a different color was 1/2 size larger (I was unsure which would fit me due to reviews). It fit and now I am sending back the larger size and ordering that color in the smaller size. A Win-Win! The service is really amazing and the selection is very good. I now have my new 'go to' shop to look at first before any others. I love to patronize local shops and even though I am in the Twin Cities, MN area, I feel Chicago is the Midwest and they are local. I am so pleased and I would recommend this shoe store to anyone and everyone. Thank you for a job well done and for making me a new customer. Jan Wall read more

It's getting so hard in Chicago to find real shoe stores, this one is a pleasure. They seem to have a lot of the comfortable stylish shoes. They also carry insoles for Finn comfort sandals. I didn't even know you could do that. I thought mine were done for but they saw what I was wearing and suggested it and they're still good to go after another year. Customer service is very helpful. I couldn't find what I wanted on the website and when I emailed them, the next business day, they sent me back the web site to collect to get exactly what I wanted. read more

Remember the Alamo?! Yeah, ok me either, but you should remember this place. I am a huge fan of shopping online, it's not that I don't want to support the brick and mortar, I just like to find a deal without traipsing all over town. Alamo Shoes has changed me, at least a little bit. I haven't been in a shoe store like this since my single digit days of shopping at Wagner's Shoe Corral and Gotskind's in River Forest. These people know their shoes and what constitutes a proper fit. I wandered in after brunch up the street intending just to browse, certainly not expecting to leave with 2 new pairs of shoes. The gentleman who helped me was very nice, attentive and thorough. I ended up trying on a pair of Merrell mary janes and Ecco ballet flats, and ended up bringing them both home with me. I felt like a little kid when he insisted I put my foot on his leg, whipped out the shoe horn and placed the shoes on my feet. Ok that may have sounded a little dirty/creepy, but it totally wasn't I assure you. I have very flat and narrow feet, and some other issues that make finding shoes that fit properly increasingly difficult. He didn't just want to know how they felt, he wanted to see how the shoes fit when I walked in them. After taking a few steps in the flats, he inserted heel pads into the flats so that I wouldn't walk out of them - his first solution for improving the fit aggravated another foot issue I have. He also noticed the shoes I wore in and made some adjustments to improve the fit of those, noting that they now come in a narrow version, which I will look for when I am ready to replace them. Alamo carries higher quality shoes (Dansko, Ecco, Clarks, etc.) and has quite the selection. They're not cheap, but I never felt like I was getting the hard sell and truthfully, if I am going to spend a hefty chunk of change on shoes, I want them to fit right. TIP: Keep your receipt, it may earn you a discount off your next purchase. TIP: They have a lot across the street if you need parking. read more

Maria!!! Thanks for helping me find my shoes. You were so kind in giving me space but yet being so helpful. The best saleswoman. Love my shoes. read more

Okay, I can update my Alamo review with a Fit Flop review. So, I got a pair of these new Fit Flops 'cos they're supposed to tone your butt and legs while you walk. And walk I do, all the time. I'm figuring I might as well get some extra butt benefit out of it. Now I'm sort of angsting about them maybe being the New Crocs? But no, they are sportif, not ugly. I opted for the red FFs, to match my (usually) classic red pedicure. And yeah, they're flip flops, sorta, but I think they are substantial enough to wear outside, actually in public. The guy at Alamo was really helpful. Usually I eschew the onslaught of the commission-earning shoe sales guys at this place, but this guy was great. Made sure I got the right size, and told me anecdotes about his daughter and how much she loved her FFs. Okay, sold! It's gonna be a great summer for my butt. read more

I have lived in this neighborhood for 20 years and every single time I go in this store I am stalked by the sales people- it's infuriating. The only reason I occasionally return is because it's convenient and they carry the brands I wear. However, the last 2 times I was in here with my mother, we both witnessed the owner being OBNOXIOUS. He sits in the middle of the bench area and just berates employees, literally ordering people around. It's disgusting. Unfortunately, my mother resorted to buying a pair of Ecco's because she couldn't even think straight between the pushy salesman and offensive owner. We attempted to return the shoes 14 days later and she was issued $182 store credit! Apparently they have a 10 day return policy, which is not even posted. This place is the absolute worst and makes me want to vomit. I cannot believe my mother has to financially support this place. I'm hoping she can find something at Nordstrom and just use the credit to order it through Alamos website without stepping one foot back inside. DO NOT GO HERE. read more

A complete 180-degree switch-a-roo review. My last visit consisted of somewhat pricey bland work-a-day shoes and a paltry selection of anything fun. But then I visited a few weeks again and was thrown by their decent selection of Tsubo YEAH, TSUBO! I know. I was shocked that they carried the same brand Barneys New York carries. And they actually had a sale--half off. Their prices were even cheaper than Zappos.com I still got sorta creeped out by the older guys trying to convince me that I should buy their Rockports instead of a few Tsubos. But I had to rescue them, lest some handsome Andersonville woman seize them for herself. I got a laugh from the manager going apeshit over someone's dog who pooped in the store. Liberal doggy-in-the-store policy=poop potential. read more

My everyday shoes were quite literally tearing my feet up, and after buying multiple pairs of poorly-fitting shoes at self-service shoe stores, I decided it was time to find myself a full-service shoe store and get fitted by an expert. This proved harder than I had anticipated. As wonderful as self-service shoe outlets, like Famous Footwear and DSW, and online merchants, like Zappo's and Amazon, have been for consumer prices, they have made it harder to find stores that provide specialized services, such as professional shoe fitting. From what I can tell, there are only a handful of full-service shoe stores left in Chicagoland. After I confirmed that Alamo is one of those few remaining stores, I headed on over, and I'm very glad that I did. Upon entering the store, I was greeted by a friendly manager, who called a salesperson right over. I think the salesperson's name was Tony. He was able to explain exactly the wear pattern that was causing my old shoes to hurt my feet. He then measured my feet, and confirmed what I already knew: my feet are 8-1/2 Wide, with most of the width at the toes, and since most of the 8-1/2 Wide shoes on the market have their extra width in the wrong place (for my feet, anyway), I've had to buy 9 Wide or even 9-1/2 Wide when shopping at self-service shoe stores. But Alamo carries a full selection of shoes in a very wide range of sizes, and Tony had a pretty good idea of which shoes would provide the best fit. He brought me several different options, which turned out to be good, better and best. In less than half an hour, I settled on a pair of Clark's Kempton Run dress shoes that are true to my size, provide the right amount of room where I need it, and don't dig or abrade anywhere. And while I had expected to pay significantly more than I normally would at a self-service shoe store, my new shoes actually cost me *less* than I have paid for my last few pairs. I was so happy that I added a few pairs of socks to my purchase, even though I know that shoe stores nearly always sell things like socks at higher prices than discount stores do. By the way, Alamo has a parking lot right across the street, so you don't have to deal with parking on busy Clark Street. Alamo Shoes is located well away from my beaten track, but after experiencing such great service and finding great shoes, it's my new favorite shoe store. I'll be back, and I'll be bringing the rest of the family! read more

My shoes got bitten by my dog. So I came here to buy new shoes. They have a lot of choices. I'm choosing between black leather or brown leather. It's hard to choose because they are so good. It's perfect in my office suit. In the end I bought two of them. It looks durable and perfectly fit to me. One cute shoe got my attention. It looks cute to my daughter. It's sandals and has a color of pink. It's light when I pick it. I ask the staff what the price is and it has a cheaper price. Then they have socks that have a limited discount. I bought 5 pairs for my daughter. I'm sure she will love what I bought for her. read more

I came here on a Tuesday morning to get my son new shoes for the Fall. The people here are nice and helpful and not pushy. The guy who helped us knew the questions to ask and was patient with my 2 year old. We got some awesome new shoes! I will definitely be back since it's so close to my house, plus they have a great selection. They were also having a sale which I didn't know about, and got an extra 10% off! read more

Alamo Shoes - New Saucony's for the boy! - Shoe Stores Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I love Alamo Shoes! They have a huge selection of high quality brands and sizes. I've been in there multiple times this year, and the customer service is always excellent. Even when they're busy, I usually have several employees ask if I need help. They run terrific sales, too. read more

On more than two occasions the sales people were pushy and the owner was belligerent. We spend too much money on shoes. They have lost two customers. But, have helped my retirement account. I am guessing, that people go here to support local businesses. The owners are "killing the goose". What a shame. read more

Alamo, you are so endearing with your old school ways. The store itself is a good size, carrying all the essential brands to pitter patter through Chicago terrain. There's even a kids section of shoes where I saw a salesperson blow up balloons for his young clients. Too cute! I ordered a pair of sneakers from Alamo's online distributor but unfortunately, they didn't quite fit right. I called Alamo to ask if I could possibly come into the store to exchange the size (thus avoiding shipping and restocking fees). They said sure. The person helping me with the exchange was super nice and accommodating (woman, red hair). I had no issues or problems and would purchase shoes from this store again. They have free parking across the street and are near the Swedish Bakery, which is worth a pit stop. Yay, Alamo! read more

I went to Alamo because it's a neighborhood store and because I have a special need. I'm scheduled for a hip replacement so I can't easily reach my right foot. On my first visit, I requested snow boots that were waterproof and easy to get on. The salesman was very understanding and helpful and I purchased boots for $160. The boots leaked. On the day of a huge snowstorm, I called the store to report the problem and said I would bring them back as soon as possible. It was not safe for me to travel, limping and in pain, in deep snow. Four days later, I returned to the store with the boots, box, and receipt. I didn't feel that they believed me that the boots had leaked. No one apologized. Did they think I would take the trouble, limping and in pain, to return them if there was no problem? The same salesman "helped" me. He just dumped the various boots in front of me and left. When I asked for a long shoehorn, he said they didn't have one. I'm sure I'm not the only person with issues who shops at Alamo. I ended up buying much more expensive boots and I hope they don't leak. I won't be shopping for any other shoes or boots at Alamo. read more

I've gotten several pairs of athletic and casual shoes here over the years. I had an EXCELLENT experience with the manager today, who is not only super professional but really nice. In fact the entire staff is great. Highly recommended. A great way to buy local, since I'm in Uptown. (and free parking is a plus). read more

Excellent customer service by Steve at Alamo Shoes! I had heard they had a great variety selection of shoes, so I decided to go in today. We were greeted by a gentleman name Steve. I quickly told him what I was looking for. In less than 30 mins, my brother and I walked out wearing some fabulous Sorell shoes perfect for the weather Chicago is experiencing at the time. Love the shoes that Steve actually pick out himself for us! I HIGHLY recommend you see Steve at this awesome shoe store!!! Will be back to buy my walking/running shoes at this store! Will make sure Steve is there to select them for me! read more

Went here once, and it will probably be my last time. I went during a sidewalk sale and was looking at the shoes they have to offer. Having the need to use the restroom, I started looking for a place to go. I accidentally took two steps down some stairs when some lady started yelling at me. I confess, I should have known better but the attitude of the lady was really off putting and annoying. She chewed me out for a few minutes while sarcastically asking if I wanted to work there...Anyways, I was rescued by some older gentleman who told me where the bathroom was. I eventually used the restroom and decided to stand outside to wait for my company. While waiting my company, my brother showed me a nice set of shoes, which I decided to try on. Once I tried them on, the gentleman who helped me earlier approached me (while drinking a beer) and started piling all sorts of shoes in front of me. He wanted me to buy several pairs of the shoes (which a sales person is supposed to do). I was only interested in buying one pair. After I told him I only wanted the pair, he threw his hands in the air and said, "After all that?!? All that work we just did will only pay for the beer in my hand!" I was like, "Ok" and decided check go ahead and pay for the shoes... After buying the shoes (which were nice and at a decent price) I hurried out. After all that, the store did have a nice selection of shoes and the prices were decent. It is also located in a decent neighborhood. However, I am giving it such a low score because the people who helped me were annoying and rude and didn't seem as if they wanted to help me and more about taking my money...I mean ultimately, that is what business is all about, but a little respect can go a long way and since I received so little during my first and only visit there, I won't be going back anytime soon. read more

Been shopping here for years and never bothered to write a review. Yesterday was yet another wonderful experience. Came in with a friend who had just lost her husband and needed shoes for the funeral. We were treated warmly and with respect and she walked out with the shoes for the funeral (which were on sale), a deeply discounted pair of snow boots and a new purse after being helped by a wonderful salesperson named Bruce. Alamo is a real shoe store and there really aren't many left anymore! read more

Maybe 4.5 stars instead of 5? I've sometimes felt a little smothered or stalked by the sales staff, since they REALLY want to help you when you walk into the store, and I like to just browse. Excellent, high-quality shoes, generous return policy, free parking across the street. Fair warning: this ain't Payless. Don't shop here if you're looking for $30 sneakers, because you won't find them. You get what you pay for, and you're paying for quality. I will cheap out on clothes and furniture, but I'm super picky about always getting comfortable and supportive shoes, and I've gotten some good ones here. Some brands I've bought or seen at Alamo are Rockport, Dansko, Cobb Hill, Merrell, and Skechers. read more

I am extremely disappointed with this store. I wasn't going to share this but this is horrible service. The public should know what kind of environment they are walking into. My husband walked into this store while I had my dentist appointment. He was looking to purchase some black shoes for his job since he works outside. When he walked in, an employee motioned to another employee to watch him as he lifted his hands to his eyes and pointed at him. He was obviously profiling him because he was of hispanic descent. Extremely disrespectful. I would never step a foot in here. read more

In case you are not familiar, Alamo has a parking lot across the street that you must use a token (obtained from the store) in order to be able to exit. That's fine with me, hey, parking in A-Ville is in short supply. But what is NOT COOL is what happened the day I made a specific trip just to visit this store during an advertised sale. I parked in the lot and first made a quick trip into the Einstein Bagels next door for a coffee. I come in to Alamo, spent over 20 minutes looking, but dont see anything I like (note: Alamo's style tends to run along the lines of those earthy-crunchy Dansko & Merrill type shoes - definitely NOT anything chic or dressy). I went up to the counter and asked for a token. The girl flings one at me and then said quite loudly to her co-worker as I am walking away "Well, I am certainly glad at least EINSTEIN got some business today!" Um, OK then. So from now on you wont be getting any potential business from me then either. I like supporting neighborhood businesses as much as the next guy, but at least hire some salespeople with tact and class. yikes. read more

My boyfriend and I used to shop here occasionally; we've bought a handful of pricey shoes between the two of us. Bruce is the nicest salesperson there, and I'm sad that we won't be giving him any more of our business. When I spotted some gorgeous Frye boots at Nordstrom about a month ago, I thought, "Oh, I'll give Alamo the business instead." The manager Richard, who I spoke to over e-mail, seemed nice enough, offered a nice (unexpected!) discount, and ordered the boots I wanted when I put down a deposit. He said something snarky to another customer when I was at the counter, and the deposit he requested in person was higher than the one he suggested online, but I didn't think much of it. A week later, I get a call that the boots have arrived, but when I opened the box to try them on, they were in the wrong color. The ladies behind the counter tell me that Richard will call back to get the situation sorted out. He doesn't, so I go in a couple of days later and ask if he could give me a call back to talk about re-ordering the boots in the correct color. He doesn't. A few days later, I get a call saying my boots have arrived, which is odd as I never requested them or talked to Richard again... So I go in, and not only are the boots in the wrong color AGAIN, but the woman behind the counter snarls at me that they will not order them again because I've already "lost them money." She was incredibly defensive, never leveled with me, and wouldn't acknowledge that I hadn't asked her to order the boots a second time. I found nicer Fryes on endless.com for less. I won't go back and reward such lousy customer service. (Though at least they gave me my deposit back--it only took them 12 days.) read more

I hate shopping for shoes. Truth be told, I'm not a fan of shopping in general. But shoes are the enemy. I realize for some of you, this is the equivalent of saying I believe in flying saucers or Creationism. No matter. Part of the problem is that I have funky shaped feet. They're short but wide, less feet than pods. I'm also kind of cheap, especially when it comes to shoes. So my strategy is generally to dash into DSW, grab the first pair of shoes that fit me and don't look like something a clown would wear, and go. Now of course, that is exactly the wrong thing to do. Since I have funky feet, and since I know nothing about shoes (because I hate the shopping, remember?), I need a professional to work with me on finding the right pair. But as I try on shoe after shoe, like some aging Cinderella, I get more and more cranky and frustrated, until I want to run out of the store. Enter Alamo. And in the role of pusher, my shoe junkie friend. She loves to buy shoes, and loves to drag me into Alamo with her. I frump around while she does her shopping, anxious to leave. Well, last night her eye was caught by some Bogs. While she was shopping, I looked at some men's shoes, bored as ever. The Bogs were very cool, though, and I mentioned I hated all my boots (i.e. two pair). That was enough to set her on a mission to get me into some new boots. And she would not be denied. Well let me tell you, the salesman at Alamo, whose name I neglected to get (of course), was as kind and gentle as a groom deflowering his virgin bride on her wedding night. He brought out some men's Bogs, which would have been perfect for someone with less funky feet. They were wide enough, and comfortable, but made me feel like I was in foot prison. We talked about what I wanted and hated in boots, and off he scurried, only to return with an armful of boots in a variety of shapes and sizes. There was no hard sell, and he was happy to take his time and respect my concerns. Granted, he already had my friend's sale under his belt, so I was just gravy, but still. Need I say that I left with a pair of boots that cost three times what I've ever spent on boots before. But they're so comfortable that I'm wearing them now. There are plenty of sharks at Alamo. While I was browsing, one salesman checked out my shoes and said, "I can put you in a new pair of Reeboks for only $34.95!" This in place of something like, "Hello sir, how are you tonight?" Despite that, Alamo is a throwback to a time when service meant something. When I got home, I found that I could have bought these same shoes online for a few bucks less -- not enough to make a real difference. But without the help of that salesman, I would never have found them at all. read more

Awful customer service. Just dreadful. I went in to buy a couple of pairs of men's dress shoes. I told the shoe salesman that I needed shoes size eight and a half in the widest size they had. He told me they "have no wide shoes." I asked him if could please use his foot gauge to measure my foot, to see exactly what size I needed. He said, "Why bother? We haven't got any shoes that would fit you." He then promptly walked away and began talking to some of his friends who had come in. NO WONDER people shop online these days! read more

I am trying to figure out why anyone would ever want to shop at Alamo. Their customer service is non-existent on a good day and downright surly on bad ones. I have shopped there several times (purchased shoes at least twice) and have had a miserable time on each occasion (a note about myself-I managed a small retail establishment for a couple of years, so I know how hard it is do run a small business, but more importantly, how critical it is to treat your customers well-at the very least, cordially). I am also a big proponent of supporting local businesses and as a longtime Edgewater resident, love to shop Clark Street. Alamo, however, seems to have no regard for it's customers. I have had to actively pursue salespeople who were either downright rude and/or bothered by my need for assistance. In short, why would you go to Alamo when you can find all the lines they carry (and usually at better prices - Alamo is always at the high end ) at Nordstroms, Zappos, etc. where you will get much better customer service. I will never shop at Alamo again and actively tell all of my friends to avoid the store. read more

They have been in the 'hood forever. It all depends on which sales person you get. We got one that didn't think we would spring for the $200 shoes so he wandered off to help someone else and we had to keep calling him back for another size and some help... Meanwhile we had to listen to two sales people fight over their commissions and whose customer was whose... then complain about the person keeping track, then complain loudly about how little their commissions were and then again about someone sniping what should have been there customer.... Finally at the register with the $200 shoes which the sales guy could care less about and the check out clerk decides to ring up stuff before we can tell her what pile is ours - THEN she gets in a huff when we let her know that the pile wasn't ours - and we get ATTITUDE for her having to take the stuff off our bill.. UM... HELLO... maybe don't be in such a hurry to check us out there was NO ONE Else in line!! it's steps away so I put up with the uneven service and grouchy counter help. They never tell you their names so you can't ever ask for the few good sales people that they do have there... probably a reason for that one! I get it that you are on commission - but I don't need it in my face through the entire experience... read more

I love this store! The salespeople are very knowledgeable and friendly and have helped me find the perfect pair of shoes on multiple occasions! They will measure your feet and recommend different styles. Highly recommend if you know what you're looking for but need guidance. Shoutout to Bruce for assisting me a second time and doing a great job! read more

Alamo Shoes was the eBay seller of my super affordable rain boots. Instead of paying for shipping, I decided to pick them up at their store. (I had to pay a sales tax, but it cost less than the shipping charges.) I knew Alamo Shoes sold winter boots after seeing their advertisements in the Tribune. My boyfriend also needed a pair of winter boots, but had been reluctant to buy them. He used the "I'm from Pennsylvania and never wore boots during the winter" excuse. He didn't want to pay much for shoes that he wouldn't wear often. I had him accompany me to Alamo Shoes just to browse. Immediately we found a pair of basic, but warm boots by Totes for $29.99. You can't beat that! For a small neighborhood shoe store, Alamo Shoes' selection is good. However, if you are looking for trendier shoes, then I recommend taking a trip to Old Orchard or downtown. The sales associates can be aggressive here, but it's bearable. Stick to your "shoe objective" and you should be fine. read more

Pluses: Good selection and free parking across the street. Minuses: This store is a mess! Erratic service. Hard sell from what seems like desperate sales people. Once I was told by the salesperson, after trying on 3 pairs of shoes that didn't feel comfortable: "Well, there's something wrong with your feet!" I did go in once, where the salesman was very pleasant though. Generally not my first place for shoes, but the window display makes me tempted to go in. read more