Locale

Recently Locale has been popping up to replace the Feet First brand, and revamping their image as more young and modern. It’s working!
I like that the store carries more than just it’s home brand (like Aldo), and features well made, mid range priced shoes from all over including Geox, Nine West, Ugg, Hunter as well as their own brands. Think one step down from Browns. But one step up from Aldo. Similar to TownShoes, I suppose, but online shopping (with great deals) and a cleaner less dizzying look to the store.
Case in point.
There was a great boot for $ 280 that I saw in the store. I was waiting and waiting for this to go on sale (4 months, bookmarked and checked occasionally online). I decided to give up and buy a similar style and cheaper ($ 188) at Aldo. The next day, my boot at Locale went on sale to $ 188. The difference between the two: Locale was made of real leather, and made in Italy. Aldo was made somewhere in Cambodia/​China and had a hard feel to it’s fake leather. Putting it on, it was uncomfortable. Comparing the two, there wasn’t much a difference in design, but the feel was completely different.
I went and returned the Aldo and went to Locale to buy it. They were also having a great 40% sale on Hunter rainboots.
When I got to the store, I wanted to buy both. But the price was different from what I saw online.
The clerk wasn’t too happy I was going to buy the thing online, so after some insisting, he gave it to me at the online price.
(it can happen!)
(Note, now the boot went down in price again to $ 134 and my size is the only one left! Too bad I’ve already worn it everywhere)
The funny thing, Aldo and Locale are under the same shoe umbrella, Aldo Group Inc. I just find it funny that the same company makes similar shoes but with a huge difference in quality.