Many a blogs have been issued on our site about our cherished retailer SHOEMARKET. The small brooklyn-store-that-could, has been a long-time client with Jeffrey Campbell at both it’s W-burg locations along popular Bedford Avenue. This fall the owners or SHOEMARKET ventured out with Jeffrey to create select styles based on their own designs and needs for their fashion forward brooklyn shopper. The collaboration can be found in it’s entirety at the Brooklyn location (N. 6 and Bedford) and can also be purchased on line at www.shoemarketnyc.com . Key style KENT was also featured in this months LUCKY magazine—so check it out…and click your mouse and grab these shoes while the grabbing is good!!

When Jeffrey Campbell was launched 9 years ago–it was, and largely to this day still is, the best street level boutiques who made up the core of our client roster. Jeffrey has always believed that the best trends and perspectives come from small stores with involved owners, a nice viewpoint and a great staff. Some of our accounts even aide in the design process–finding vintage shoes or details they simply cannot live without. Many of these small accounts turn up in small cities—even villages. It is these stores we truly admire–stores and buyers who go the extra mile to bring the same city looks to their clients and with their spin. It is these young and small town boutiques which keep Jeffrey Campbell alive and on the feet of true fashionistas everywhere.

SMALL TOWN HERO is a portion of our blog dedicated to these stores. Every season we will track down a few of our favorites and check in with them on trend, concept, or potluck recepies. For Episode one we “Cyber interviewed” Gretchen Bjork (no relation!!) of Bellingham WA. With two stores (one shoes one home/lifestyle) nestled in the small town just 100 miles from Seattle–Bjork clearly is a Small Town Hero. Next time you are driving from Seattle to Vancouver BC make sure you take time to cruise off the I-5 into the city of subdued excitement (actual city tagline) for some high profile shopping…and see below for Gretchen’s wise words on shoes, shopping and crocs.

Web address: www.LRLshoes.com Store address 113 West Holly Street, Bellingham, WA 98225 and a brief bio about your store…. Left Right Left was created in 2005 by a girl with a major shoe problem and her head in the clouds. We strive to offer fashion-forward footwear and accessories for men and women, and are proud to employ the cutest staff in town. We believe new shoes can brighten any day, that ice cream is a food group, and, most of all, that fashion should be FUN! 1. What do you love most about having a store in a small city?! I love knowing my customers by name and seeing them around town rocking our gear. 2. Which is worse: Uggs or Crocs? Crocs… don’t get me started. 3.  Which best describes your store: Madonna or Miley? Both of them scare me a little. Our women’s looks are more girl-on-the-street… maybe a mix of Lindsay and Sienna, with a little Rihanna thrown in. 4. Who is Left Right Left’s current celeb crush? It’s a close tie between Gael Garcia Bernal and Miranda July. 5. What are your brand inspirations or favorite labels? That we carry? Well, Jeffrey of course. I’m also a big fan of Bronx, J. Shoes, 80%20, Keep, and Zuriick. Ones we drool over? Finsk, Chloe, Rachel Comey, Loeffler Randall…