Imelda's Shoes

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3426 SW Hawthorne (at Between 34th and 35th)
Portland, OR 97214

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(503) 233-7476
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Imelda's Shoes - Portland, OR
Imelda's Shoes - Portland, OR
Imelda's Shoes - Portland, OR
Imelda's Shoes - Portland, OR
Imelda's Shoes - Portland, OR
Reviews
( 23 )
( 5 )
( 9 )
( 6 )
( 28 )

Best

I have always made Imeldas one of my stops while visiting Portland, and never leave disappointed. They have great shoes from funky to highly functional and all pretty comfortable...

Worst

Great shoes, great style.......too bad about the salespeople. I am glad to read that it is not just me being followed around the store as if I was going to steal something. I hope...

Always a good experience 4/4/2006

I was intimidated for a long time to enter Imelda's, both on Hawthorne and the newer Pearl store, as $100 shoes are a rare treat for me. Once I did, I was surprised by the friendly and non-judgemental the staff (translation - they never balked at my torn Converse sneakers, energetic children or tattoos), especially at the Pearl location. I honestly have not seen the poor treatment that others have reported. Imelda's has a great selection that really cannot be found elsewhere in Portland, don't overlook that because of some bad customer service reviews. After all, we all can have bad days! Pros: selection, staff Cons: expensive, tough parking more
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pure retail therapy 4/3/2006

I grew up in Portland and have been a fan of Imeldas ever since they were next door to 3 Doors Down (long way back!). I havent worked in retail much, but Ive definitely had my fare share of shopping, especially for shoes. Every time I step into Imeldas, I have a blast. The set up reminds me of a European influenced boutique youd find in SoHo. And the selection is better than most shops youd find anywhere else. Have fun with their unique approach and enjoy the experience. Stroll around, see what you like and let them take care of you theyre really good at it! They KNOW their shoes. Your notion of customer service will be greatly enlightened. more
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Hello.... 1/8/2006

i have worked in retail for a long time and I am constantly blown away by the folks over at Imeldas. First of all, don't set your store up as a self serve enviroment and then get angry at customers for helping themselves. And second if they do help themselves please do not show visible anger at your innocent customers being confused by your ridiculous set up. Is this not your ""new location""??? Get a stockroom or change your policy, you are losing annoyed customers daily who have ""tales of Imeldas"". Good Luck more
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Not worth your time 12/26/2005

Wow...I too was actually scolded for touching the boxes of shoes that were stacked beneath the display shoes. (yet when I wanted to try shoes, I would find all the sales people too busy to help me) I don't believe I've ever been treated so rudely during any other shopping experience I've had. Also, selection of sizes is poor. On neither of my trips to Imeldas, did they have my size in ANY of the styles I wanted to try on. Cons: rude salespeople, poor return policy more
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Imelda's gets and F in customer service 12/6/2005

I can't argue with the fact that Imelda's has one of the best shoe selections east of the river. I almost wish they didn't because then I would have no reason to shop there. The first time I visited I was repremanded for pulling a box of shoes out of the stack and the sales person seemed irritated that I wanted to try on more than one pair of shoes. My most recent visit, the sales person was so unfriendly and unhelpful that I left after trying on one pair of boots. Imelda's is not really worth the effort. Pros: selection, location Cons: unfriendly staff, rude staff more
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Excellent customer service!!!! 11/23/2005

I recently bought a pair of expensive boots here and happened to lose one of the buckles, which was one of the main reasons for buying the shoes to begin with. I lost my excitement for wearing the shoes. Decided to go talk to the Imelda folks in the hope for some help. Carrie was one of them. She called the manufacturer in Holland several times until she got me another buckle. I am now happier than ever. Will definitely go back there to shop!!! Pros: Great Customer Servic Cons: Expensive more
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Pa-leeez 11/15/2005

Seriously. Nordstroms sometimes has the same shoes that are already on sale! And don't expect to obtain any sales help, but do expect to be glared at. I don't go in there anymore unless I'm desperate...really desperate. The staff is enough to 'about face' and head out! Pros: close to home? Cons: staff, selection, staff more
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I love this store! 9/20/2005

Not only does Imelda's have amazing shoes, great prices and variety but the sales people are the best. I shop there all the time but recently was reminded how professional, friendly, knowledgable and approachable their sales people are. The only problem with the store is that it's too easy & fun to buy amazing shoes! more
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Never been treated so horribly by a salesperson 9/19/2005

I went to Imeldas ready to by a pair of Dansko's. I found my size and was trying a pair on when a salesperson was looking me up and down(probably because I had visible tattoos) before informing me that I'm not suppose to try on shoes by myself because its dangerous to pull a box of shoes out....its for my own safety she said. I said ""oh sorry"" and she says you know they sell the same shoes across the street. I put the Dansko's that I was prepared to buy back in there place and went across the street. I was with a girlfriend of mine and when we got out of the store we looked at each other and both agreed that we have never ever been treated that badly while shopping....we are what some might call shopaholics so we have plenty of shopping experience:-) Cons: Bad salesperson more
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too many rules! 9/15/2005

I agree w/ some other reviewers about the awful atmosphere of this store. Too many rules - no cell phones, check your bags at the door (apparently we're all in there with the intention of hoofing it out the door with a free pair of shoes), don't touch the boxes (even though they're stacked in the store), terrible return policy...........what is this????? It actually felt STRESSFUL to be there! I also agree that the sales staff is overly pushy, trying really hard to sell me shoes I clearly do not want. The shoe selection was ok, but not fabulous. However, due to the reasons mentioned above (and the fact that I'm obviously not crazy, given the other reviews) I'll choose not to shop here. Pros: ok shoe selection Cons: sales staff, nazi-like rules more
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Mens Styles Not So Good. Sales Help Bad. 6/13/2005

I like to shop. I'm a guy. The styles that the new mens side offered were ok. Nothing special. What was special was how pestered i was when i was shopping this past weekend by a sales person. She kept pointing things out to me that i did not like, and started to get all bent out of shape when i would not try on one of her suggestions. It was busy, thank God, and she went to bug someone else finally. I found better service and selection at a shop downtown. Check it out. Pros: near my house Cons: pushy sales people, poor selection, messy store more
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GREAT SELECTION 6/8/2005

IMELDAS has great prices and I appreciate that the staff is avalible to help me when I find a shoe I like. Great selection and Competative prices!! Pros: good staff, locally owned, selection more
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Great Store! 6/7/2005

I recently moved to Portland and just discovered Imelda's. I love this store! It's a fun place to shop and I've had great luck finding cool shoes, even jewelry. I like the sales staff, too. They're always nice, helpful and engaging with me. Pros: shoe selection, prices, jewelry Cons: sometimes crowded more
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Fair Service/Bad Return Policy 5/24/2005

i agree with most of the postings on Imelda's. I can tell you from inside info that the poor customer service w/heavy handed sales tactics are pushed by the owner. The only reason that Imelda's continues to do as well as it does is that it's the only place in the neighborhood to get fashionable shoes. It needs competition! While I don't expect a small store to compete w/Nordstrom's return policy, a little common sense and decency would not be out of line. Shop the sales and be sure of your purchase - that's the only way to spend your money here. Pros: selection, purses Cons: return policy, service more
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Salespeople and store policies drove me away 5/17/2005

Nice shoes, but here's why I stopped shopping here: Staff, including someone who appears to be the owner or manager, follow you around as if they expect you to steal things. Stock is all out on the floor, but you're not allowed to touch it. (Saving rent on storage space, I guess, but it's not reflected in the prices.) When I needed a size they were out of (size, not model, mind you), getting it would have meant a ""special order"" with an extra special order fee and shipping cost, even though this was a regularly stocked shoe. Take your business to another store; there are plenty of good ones in Portland. With the number of negative reviews, I don't understand why the Citysearch rating for this one is so high. Pros: Good selection, Interesting shoes Cons: Draconian policies, Condescending staff, Limited stock on hand more
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unique boutique 4/22/2005

gotta say, loved the shoes, .. hated the staff. the Imeldas crew needs to learn that the emphasis in shopping should be on fun.. after all, girls just wanna have fun. am I right? of course.. Pros: nice variety, fun location Cons: uppity staff, bad return policy, little small more
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SUPER SHOE STORE! 2/23/2005

This place is awesome - my sister took me there and we both loved it! What a great store and what fun to shop on Hawthorne Street. This is my new best place to shop in Portland! Pros: Great service, Beautiful shoes, Great music more
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I love this place! 2/22/2005

Imelda's is one of my favorite stores in Portland! The shoe and purse selection is awesome - beautiful things at great prices. I love the atmosphere in the store --- I think it's very friendly and the staff has always been great with me. They also have the most beautiful earrings and brooches around town. Pros: Beautiful merchandise, Great prices more
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very disappointed 1/27/2005

I am very, very disappointed with Imelda's service. First I was impressed when the assistant manager gave me a store credit of $165.00 towards anything in the store to compensate for a handbag I purchased that was having problems with the zipper. I didn't see anything at that time, so I decided to come back when they recieve new merch. Then, a week later I recieve a letter in the mail that they will only exchange it for the same exact handbag. Does that make any sense? I am still having problems with the zipper, but I will never have a problem with Imelda's again, because they have lost me as a customer AND I have told all my friends and cohorts about my experience...nothing like word of mouth advertising! Cons: salespeople, unprofess. management, exchange policy more
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read all the reviews before shopping! 1/21/2005

I should have read the reviews first! I made a huge mistake stepping foot in that door! The sales staff is very snooty! Finally, someone approched me. I found a pair of shoes I liked, bought them, the heel broke... exchange only...for the same shoes! If they are defective, why would I want the same pair??? What a waste of $$$ and time! I should have known better then to shop there. Don't waste your time. There are so many new cute shoe shops in the pearl district with way better service than imeldas!!! Pros: , ??? Cons: , no return policy more
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Editorial

  • In Short
    This store is a haven for men and women looking for stylish yet affordable footwear. New shoes arrive daily and are always marked 10 percent off the suggested retail price....

  • 8/15/2006 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon-Fri: 10-7 Sat: 10-6 Sun: 11-6
  • Payments: American Express, Master Card, Visa, Discover
  • Neighborhoods: Richmond, Southeast Uplift Neighborhood Program
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