Island Sole sets foot in the market

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The well heeled have a new Prince Charming of a store ready to fit people with the perfect shoe.

Island Sole opened their doors in early July selling hard-to-come-by shoe lines that offer comfort as well as style.

The store’s salesmen happen to also be podiatrists, who help customers choose shoes that fit like a glove.

Owned by podiatrists Natalie Bennett and Stuart McIntosh, Island Sole is physically connected to Bermuda Podiatry Centre, where the podiatrists see a full roster of patients.

The practice is run by Neil Moncrieff, who recently moved his practice from Bermudiana Road to Gorham Road, in the space where Frameworks used to be. The practice is also joined by podiatrist Rosemary Head.

From fittings to advice, the new store offers men and women’s styles as well as school uniform shoes for adolescents on up and carry the popular brand Keens. Within in the next few months, the store will also sell children’s shoes.

Island Sole also offers width sizing and larger sizes — up to size 16 for men and 13 for women.

“We would see patients who had difficulty finding comfortable but stylish shoes, so we were recommending shoes that weren’t available here,” said Mrs Bennett who, prior to joining the Podiatry Centre, worked with Mr McIntosh for number of years. “We can help with correct sizing, how to handle specific issues and steer people to the right shoe that fits properly.”

“We wanted to bring in a range of shoes that aren’t already available here,” added Mr McIntosh. “We are filling a niche in the marketplace that has been vacant in Bermuda for years.”

Boat shoes, flip flops, sandals, high heels, work and school shoes — Island Sole carries a wide variety of shoes and can help people who have bunions, heels spurs or complications with diabetes.

“Bigger, wider feet are not catered to in Bermuda — we went to tradeshows in the US and took a long time to find the styles and fit we wanted for the store,” explained Ms Bennett.

Island Sole also focuses on people who work in industries that require standing for long hours on their feet, such as wait staff, nurses, firefighters, police officers and construction workers.

Here, chefs can find non-slip shoes and handymen can find breathable steel-toe boots.

The idea for the store was submitted to the Bermuda Economic Development Corporation’s (BEDC) Rocket Pitch competition last year, which pits several new business concepts against each other. The idea for Island Sole won third place and Mrs Bennett and Mr McIntosh won a cash prize to help turn their dream into a reality.

“We had been thinking of this idea for close to two years,” explained the pair.

While the store has only been open a week, it is clear that Island Sole has hit the right notes for customers.

“It’s been excellent, we’ve received great response so far. It’s exciting to come to work,” said Ms Bennett. “We’ve had a number of people come in, buy new shoes and leave their old shoes here.”

Now, with Bermuda Podiatry Centre next door, it’s a one-stop shop, offering a full range of services, including routine care, nail surgeries, full video gait analysis and shoes to boot.

“It’s where fashion meets comfort,” said Mr McIntosh.

Island Sole is located on 9 Gorham Road between Lobster Pot and Woodbourne Pharmacy. The store offers on-site parking and is open from 10am-6pm Monday-Friday and 10am-4pm on Saturdays.

For more information on Island Sole call 292-4523 or the Bermuda Podiatry Centre at 292-0243.

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