Orva Shoes

Too bad this store is closing. I purchased my sandals here last summer. They were comfortable. I put in miles walking. They are still good for this coming summer. This store has been here as long as I can remember. It’s always busy. Guess the rent was too much for them to handle. Very sad!

Note: this location is closing soon (mid January 2016) so they’re having a big sale at the moment. It’s worth going during the sale as the prices are usually high. They’ve always been very helpful, but tough to get someone to help you when it is busy.

Terrible customer service! Wasted way too much time in that store trying to get a sales person to sell to me. Go to the store, find the shoes you want and buy on Amazon

There’s a wise ancient saying: «Never buy shoes online.» If you want to be able to compare shoes and try on a couple of different styles and sizes, there’s no substitute for visiting a store in person. That is, until you try shopping at Orva. Then you may go home and, with a huge sense of relief, order a pair from Zappos.
I have been to Orva several times lately. They have very spotty coverage of the brands they sell, at least for the men’s shoes. Their Rockport and Allen and Edmonds sections, for example, were missing many styles. When they do have a shoe, they have very few sizes, e.g. 8 ½ but not 9, or narrow but not wide. They also have never even heard of brands they supposedly carry. They are listed by Propet as a retailer but when I asked the salesman if they had any Propet boots, he looked at me as though I was speaking Swedish.
I keep going back because one salesperson told me they would be getting in more winter stock. Each time I have visited, I have met a different salesperson, and each has been more clueless and apathetic than the previous one. The three of them on Jeopardy would be the worst TV show ever (or maybe the best).
Yes, if you need something made out of leather to cover your feet and are willing to limit yourself to their selection, you might find a shoe in your size. But if you have a vague idea of what you want, there is a good chance they don’t have it, even if it’s a shoe or boot from a major company. Enter Zappos (or any other online shoe store). It may be faster and easier to just use the free return shipping if the shoes don’t fit than to keep going back to Orva in the hopes that they have what you are looking for.
Addendum: Just went to Harry’s Shoes on the Upper West, which is the real deal. Much more selection and depth within each brand. A better option than Zappos if you need to try on shoes and compare.

Great costumer service! Everyone was inviting and eager to help. They even have my size! (3 mens/​5 women’s) which is hard to find in most shoe stores!