Great store and two thumbs up for Jim!

 

Last time I was there (about 12 yers ago), I bought a pair from Jim at that store. Sure wish we had a vendor with a full line like that in driving distance from Asheville NC>

 

I have never been there, but Ealdwine in Raleigh appears to be dedicated almost entirely to Alden from a footwear standpoint and has a very good reputation with internet Alden fans. I would love to go there some day. But, the Alden stores really are amazing places. Jim in SF and Brian at the DC store have been very helpful to me. I have been fortunate to travel to both of those locations a few times in recent years and was able to stop by.

 

The Alden Shop in SF is terrific. Beautiful store and always great service from Jim. I visit whenever I'm in SF and have some money to blow on a pair of Aldens, since I know I'll never leave the store empty handed.
A couple of years ago, I called the store to order the shell longwing in color 8. I was unsure of my size, so Jim sent me two pairs in two different sizes but only charged me for one pair. He told me to just return the pair that didn't fit. How many stores would send you two pairs of shoes and only charge for one, trusting that you will return the second pair? Great customer service indeed!

 

I walk past the Alden Shop in San Francisco almost every day when I take my trying-not-to-die-any-time-soon walk. It’s a good thing I have a lot of self-control, inasmuch as living so close to that store, I could otherwise go bankrupt before you can say “cordovan.”

 

Middle of being on the road for over a month straight for summer vacation and I'm still dropping a couple grand on shoes . As I mentioned to Jim, a bit sad that I run into the store on vacation when I'm already bleeding cash..probably would have dropped twice as much if I had it available at home. 😅

 

I live in the Midwest--Minnesota--and I have been buying shoes from Jim Smith for several years. He is fantastic! He is able to special order me sizes that the Alden catalog says are not available. Very impressed with both their shoes, and even more with Jim Smith's service. I recommend them both highly. I particularly like their cordovan shoes. Much better than Allen Edmonds.