This online shop wants to change the way you buy shoes

Shopping for shoes – particularly online – can be a real challenge. But this Canadian company is trying to make finding that perfect pair of sandals or sneakers just a little bit easier.

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Shoes.com is the brain child of Sean Clark and Roger Hardy, two guys hanging out in a Vancouver basement who dreamed up the idea of a shoe company that would make footwear easy and accessible to all Canadians, no matter where they were located. Since launching in 2012, it’s become one of the fastest growing e-commerce companies in North America, and for good reason – they’ve got an awesome selection of shoes! But it gets better.

The company recently launched it’s first bricks and mortar store in Toronto, with plans for expansion across Canada. The idea: creating a bridge between traditional and digital shopping.

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From the outside, the store looks like your average shoe shop but look a little closer and you’ll realize that the shelves are set up to reflect what’s happening on the website. For example, the first section when you enter the store, also called the “Home Room” should have the same things on display as you would find on the homepage of the website. The similarities continue through out the store.

Editor’s Room (photo courtesy of Shoes.com)

Like a traditional shoe store, you can try on a pair of shoes, purchase them and walk out the door. But for the digital savvy, you can opt to make your purchase online (using the in-store computers) or even check out competitor prices in the back “Editor’s Room,” which feels like a trendy coffee shop. Set up with a bar in the centre of the room, the space will offer a place to sit, complimentary drinks and access to computers. There will also be workshops and seminars presented in this space throughout the year and the walls will be lined with collections from local designers (shoe, accessory, clothing, etc.).

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Right now, you’ll find a collection of cool hats and small leather goods from Toronto designer Jason Mitchell of Coupe de Tête as well as chunky jewellery from Toronto brand Armed. This will rotate monthly and vary store by store to reflect designers who are local to the area.

What do you think of this new store concept? Do you prefer shopping online or are you more about bricks and mortar? Let us know by tweeting to @YahooStyleCA.