With the frequent traffic in and out of Two Sole Sisters on East Pearl St., you would think it was the equivalent of a men’s barber shop. Women drop by and chat up the two owners (yes they really are sisters) Laurel and Lindsey Tate, and maybe pick up a pair of shoes, or two. From the looks of the “social-hour” atmosphere in Two Sole Sisters, you would easily forget our current economic slump. But business is booming and boots are flying.

In fact, the New York Times just published an article called “Shoes, the Recession’s Not-So-Guilty Pleasure” – claiming that shoes in all shapes, sizes and styles should now be added to our lists of survival necessities. NYT argues shoes are a recession-friendly indulgence, due to their increased need (for free outdoor activities), the cost-per-wear (you can wear those pumps everyday to the office, but a new suit, well…), and the emotional uplift of trying on those frilly, flirty stilettos.

Pair the instant mood enhancement of a new pair of stylish shoes with the exhilaration of buying from socially responsible companies, and you got a match made in Boulder heaven.

Corso Como is one of the Two Sole Sisters’ most popular, and responsible, brands. Corso Como shoes, made in Brazil, are considered “innovations in style, impeccable detail and luxurious comfort”. One knows that in Boulder, comfort in shoes sometimes rules over fashion. But with Corso Como, luckily both are not mutually exclusive. With a four-layer footbed described by words like transpiration, reinforced, extra foam, gel and cushion, I’m already sold. Now couple that with the fashionable appeal of the shoe- modern mary-janes with petite ties, classic riding boots with buckles, suede jewel-toned cobalt dancing shoes and heeled , suede above-the-knee boots.

The Tate Sisters love that Corso Como also promotes ethical business practices: it uses recycled paper on all packaging (saving 2,000 trees a year), sets award-winning precedents in leather manufacturing, and enforces highest standards of principles in their factories. Each pair of shoes reinforces Corso Como’s commitment to the global environment.

Carefully selecting each comfy and stylish shoe to sell in their store, the sisters know how to appeal to the Boulder crowd; thankfully allowing their customers the freedom to hop, skip and run around town while looking sexy and fashion-forward.

Need a handbag to pair with those lovely new Corso Como pewter heels? Two Sole Sisters has that too. Helena de Natalio Handbags, the name coming literally from the designer and owner, Helen, who was inspired by her Peace Corps experience in Natalio, Paraguay. Her travels through South America allowed her to work with local artisans in Buenos Aires, Argentina to create the first Helena de Natalio handbag. Her bags, displayed in the huge windows of Two Sole Sisters express bohemian artistry, femininity, and buttery soft leathers. Handbags in bright colors like deep aqua, banana yellow and dark-chocolate brown sprinkle the store. Oh, and did we mention Helena de Natalio remains committed to socially responsible production, ensuring that all her bags are crafted in a healthy work environment by artisans in Argentina and Native American groups in Northern California?

You can feel good about looking good when you shop locally at Two Sole Sisters!

Two Sole Sisters is located at:

1703 Pearl St. Boulder, CO

phone: 303-442-0404

fax: 303-442-3070

[email protected]