Rowan Sky Sets Up Shop in Gastown

While shoes and cosmos served as the calling card for Sex and the City, it was shoes and champagne that proved to be a winning combination at the grand opening party for Rowan Sky last Thursday. Two years young, the independent shoe retailer has moved from Yaletown to spacious new digs at 334 West Cordova. Gastown, it seems, is where they're right at home. After all, hip neighbouring shops abound: Old Faithful is down the street and (212) is the next block over.

The store before the party got going. I like these moments because you can look at everything closely without interruption.

Owners Nima and Troy have narrowed Rowan Sky's focus to footwear only with a small selection of jewelry and Toywatch watches. Shoppers who dread the high prices that usually go along with hip retail addresses and carefully curated selections will be in for a pleasant surprise: Most of the shoes were very affordable at $100-200.

Among the many styles displayed, I spotted heels by Camper, Pour La Victoire and Luxury Rebel; sandals by Matiko; flats and ladylike pumps from Repetto; and a few isolated picks from Ted Baker and Plenty by Tracy Reese. Toms slip-ons and Aigle rainboots rounded out the women's selection.

For the fellas, there was a mix of dressy and casual footwear from the likes of Tretorn, Lacoste, Camper and Tiger of Sweden, as well as an impressive selection of Onitsuka Tiger sneakers in every make and colour. Guests that night enjoyed a 20% discount, and while I couldn't justify buying any shoes for myself, I did end up snagging a pair of Tretorn 'Skymra' sneakers and Tiger of Sweden 'Paul' lace-ups for the boy. (Yup, that's me, always the thoughtful girlfriend.)

A cool detail: The display shelves are actually old books screwed onto brackets.

Congratulations to Nima, Troy and the staff of Rowan Sky on their Gastown move!