Reminds me of the department stores in my hometown back east, way back in the 70's-same sorta feel- they stock everything one needs and its worth paying the small difference in price just to keep these guys going strong. Excellent sales prices! read more

I will never again shop at the McCaulou's located in Montclair, a cute little village nestled in the Oakland hills. I purchased a $6.75 red clip- on tie for my 6-year-old son. He had picked it out himself. He was thrilled and wore it exactly one time and the clip broke off; my son did not aggravate the clip at all; it was just poorly made. I went back to the store a week later with my receipt to exchange it for the exact same tie or to get my money back. The manager absolutely refused! She said they only give refunds or exchanges if a product is "defective." I asked her what her working definition of "defective" was and she described exactly what our experience had been with this tie. I tried reasoning with her for several more minutes but she stood firm-- and rude. I asked her if it was really worth $6.75 to her to lose a customer who had been shopping at the store her entire life and had spent thousands of dollars there and was about to yelp about the dismal experience. It was worth it to her! So there you go. read more

McCaulous is probably the last of the really nice stores since J.& I. Magnins... It is a family business..and has clothes for everyone. The atmosphere is more like what department stores used to be....classy. I've always had EXCELLENT help there in all the stores. Also, if you see something, but it's not in your size, they will call around to all of their stores to try to locate it for you...plus send it to the store closest to you...all for Free!!.. You don't get this service in any other store today. The one thing that I particularly like [and has 'saved me' more than once], is that if you buy something over $20.00, they will gift wrap it for FREE [in a nice box, you choose the wrapping paper, & bow]...tell me, where can you get This Service any more?? For all the complainers before of McCaulous on Yelp, perhaps it was your attitude and in not appreciating a classy, quality store when you see it!!... I Love McCaulous !!... read more

Shoe store in Montclair, Oakland is poorly managed. I've gone in there multiple times to shop for sneakers for my daughter, and invariably, they have very little in stock in her size. Of the 10 pairs she considered, only one was in stock--typical of each time I've shopped there. I finally found a pair of Vans sneakers on the clearance table, which had a sign clearly posted on it that said "50 to 75% off original price" The marked price was $27.99, originally $34.99, which is clearly not 50%. After inquiry, the manager opted to stick to the $27.99 price, which violates CA law requiring retailers to honor posted price. I didnt protest, but will never shop at McCallou's ever again. Back to amazon.com for me! read more

I've shopped this store, usually in their Montclair and Lafayette locations, for years. I'm a Baby Boomer, so perhaps older than some of the other reviewers on this site, but wanted to add some balance to the comments. First of all, they do have quite a mix of clothing - Liz Claiborne and some nicer/pricier lines; nice-looking, well-styled, colorful denim jackets, lots of moderately priced pieces. Seasonal promotional items can be a great value, although I recommend trying everything on, as occasionally the promo items' sizing is 'off' a bit. Their juniors dept. carries a lot of very cute clothes, too. I've enjoyed great service, although sometimes there's a bit of a line when I used to have to shop at lunchtime. I've just come back from shopping there for a cruise in the tropics, and was quite happy. I double-checked the jewelry dept., though, as I was suspicious of a reviewer's comments regarding "always" returning their jewelry. McCaulou's has never, in the more than twenty years I've shopped there, allowed jewelry returns, and they still don't as of today. (No problem with returns in any other department.) I've also never seen Laurel Burch earrings (or bags, for that matter) there. If you're going to knock a store, have your facts straight. Oh- and it sounded like the reviewer was referring to the Montclair store - if so, I've never seen a parking attendant. (Possibly during the Holidays?) read more

For what it is, this place is perfect! I agree with jellybeano, who got it just right. They are stocked and paced for us older folks who do appreciate the low-pressure yet respectful atmosphere and they have the kind of merchandise we are looking for: what you might buy for your mom or dad especially. On the other hand, they have some of the things mom or dad might want to buy for you! (Like a Cal shirt, jewelry etc.) Glad I live nearby, and they have saved my bacon more than once when I forgot to order something by internet or catalog. I hope you will go there, and help insure that they stay in business here by shopping! read more

It's a small old fashoned department store that needs to be upgraded. It's kind of runned down and outdated. I would never shop at a place like this. They have a lot of cheap low end stuff that no one else wants to buy. They can't afford to sell high end stuff. They are a loser store that should be shut down and put out of business. Also the servce sucks. They shouldn't even stay open. read more

I so want to support local business, but the shoe store is staffed by zombies. With one notable and pleasing exception two weeks ago, in 4 years I have never had one person ask me if I needed help. Not one person I didn't have to hunt down and ask for help, only to have them wordlessly and limply shuffle to the back to POSSIBLY find the shoes I'm requesting. If you're lucky, they'll bring the shoes to you. More likely, they stand in the doorway and mutely look around and assume you'll recognize THEM. Zombies are like that. I walked out today after the non-existent help became too much to bear as I searched for shoes for my daughter...after nearly begging them to take my money and find the other shoe for the display shoe that luckily fit my son...which we tried on as they stared at their toes behind the counter. All three of them. Thank goodness for Zappos. It may be a big company but it cares more than the living dead (or is that hyping up their energy level?) at this store. read more

Nicest people and great goods! We were visiting from PA and needed some items for cooler weather. We ended up buying many items, on sale, and of the best quality. When we had questions, sales people were very willing to help, and to hold items while we went for a breather for coffee. Just an amazing store. Very grateful. read more

My wife, daughter and grand daughter went shopping at the Mountclair store today for cosmetics and found the sales clerks to be short, very unhelpful and generally uninterested in helping them. It felt like they were in a self service store. Hardly a pleasurable experience given they were buying premium cosmetics. My wife has been there at other times and had a wee bit better experience. read more

Just moved back to the neighborhood and was happy to find the store still around. They carry almost everything you can get at Macy's at about the same prices (and special deals) only in smaller quantity. I miss the home section they used to have, but the much larger McCaulou's Shoe Store just around the corner makes up for that. I can do almost all of my shopping right here in Montclair village and avoid the big boxe stores. read more

I have never written a yelp review but felt compelled due to my treatment by the STORE MANAGER. She was hostile and rude when I was exchanging a vest and when I asked her, calmly, why she was treating me in such a rude manner, she said "that's your opinion". Unbelievable. I will never shop there again. read more

It's easy to forget stores like this and head to the big malls when you need jeans, swim trunks, and other "everyday" kind of stuff, but if you want to skip the crowds and hassle, McCalou's is a logical first stop. Yes, it's small (the "Department Store" moniker, while true, is a little misleading), a tad old fashioned (but in a good way--the gift wrap window is pure 1960s charm), and it's tucked away in a corner of Montclair Village that you might not have even known was there (but they have their own parking lot). All of that adds up to a funky little place that puts a smile on your face--and just may have exactly what you need. On the prices, I'm surprised that anyone would complain--it seems like on any given day, half the store is on sale. Last time I was there, I bought three things, all of which were discounted to various degrees--including a $35 pair of shorts that was half off. The big malls will always be there--you should consider them a Plan B! read more

I've been to this store exactly twice. The first time was earlier this year when I was new to the neighborhood and wanted to support a local business. The sales clerks didn't acknowledge my presence, even though I was the only one in the store. The store is definitely very old school (not in a charming way) and the sales clerks seem to not want to be bothered. I left and vowed never to return. Then yesterday I was in need of baby clothes, so decided to give the store another chance to take my money. Again, not a whiff of politeness. Only misery seems to be available in this very empty store. I should've walked out, but really needed a quick gift so I approached the register with my items. The sales clerk didn't even look at me or speak to me as she rang me up. She looked at me only when I asked for a gift receipt (they don't offer them) and her energy was nothing but a downer. It was a horrible shopping experience and I regret that I completed the purchase. Note: I had the items gift wrapped and the woman who did the wrapping was pleasant. However, her demeanor didn't do enough to make my overall experience a positive one. read more

I had the worst customer service I have ever experienced at the shoe store from the store manager, Mihan. I have purchased numerous pairs of shoes for my four year old daughter here, and I like supporting neighborhood businesses. However, I bought her a pair of rain boots from here less than two months ago and splashing in puddles last week they ripped and her foot was soaked. I went in to try to exchange them and the manager told me that the wear on the soles looked like more than two months and essentially accused me of lying. I offered to pull up my bank statement to show her the date of purchase and she refused to look. I don't appreciate being made to feel like I have done something wrong when they are selling defective merchandise. Not the appropriate way to treat your loyal customers. Note to potential customers: they don't stand behind the products they sell. Find another shoe store. read more