Since its opening more than five decades ago, Williams Shoes has stood the test of time.
Now, with the approval of the proposal for a 35-story tower on Church Street, the store may be displaced and forced to relocate, and employees and residents are not happy.
“It’s been very difficult the last two years dealing with this situation,” manager Richard Iverson said.
The store, 710 Church St., has been family-owned and -operated since 1954 and serves Evanston residents of all ages.
“A lot of people have always called this the heart of downtown,” Iverson said. “This is the heart of downtown because this store has changed a lot itself, but it’s also seen so many changes.”
The store is currently owned by Michael Lembeck, whose father opened it as a store for older women. Today, the majority of employees are Northwestern students.
Employee Emily Raymond said the store does not run like a corporate chain but an independent “mom-and-pop” business.
“I think this is a store that works really hard to build a good relationship with the people who shop here,” the Weinberg junior said. “I think we’re very closely tied to Evanston in a way that, say, Nordstrom or DSW is not going to be.”
Raymond said Evanston customers keep coming back because of the service offered and wide variety of shoes, ranging from boots to sandals.
“I think it very much operates on a relationship of mutual respect and friendliness between customers and people who work in the store,” she said.
Though the store originally opened with one storefront and carried only Red Cross Shoes, it has now expanded and carries more than 40 brands in the store.
“Every day there is always something new and different,” Iverson said.
The vibrant and mismatched decor adds to a sense of quirkiness, said employee Madeleine Heller, a Communication senior. Multicolored plush fish adorn the walls and chairs, while alternating purple and white Frisbees hover above the register. Handmade signs hang from every inch of the store.
“It’s completely unlike anything you see anywhere else,” she said.
The store displays a sign at the register to make its opposition to the tower known.
If the store is forced to move, they hope to find a new location in three to four years, Iverson said. He also added that Judy Fiske, newly elected First Ward alderman and opponent of the tower, is a store customer.
Though Williams may continue facing changes, employees said it will still remain a part of Evanston.
“Nothing in here is too polished. It’s all just fun,” Raymond said. “It’s a comfortable and cozy place to go shopping.”
