Wilton’s famous shoe and boot sample sale is making a return this month, and it’s something shoppers don’t want to miss.
Peter Finnie, of Wilton-based Finnie and Associates, is a wholesale importer of fashion-forward shoes and boots from Europe, mainly from the Sheridan Mia line. While he recently opened a retail store, called Local Soul, he is still primarily a wholesale shoe guy. And that’s where Wilton is lucky.
When the seasons change, Finnie typically holds a sample sale to free up space and move last season’s excess stock, to make room for the coming seasonal change in fashion. He has scheduled the next sample sale to start Monday, Jan. 23, and he says it’s going to be “massive.”
“We are going to have the cheapest prices yet and tons of boots. We actually are able to sell goods below our wholesale prices, it doesn’t effect any of the 200-plus stores we sell–we don’t have any local accounts,” he says. He says he’s getting in more than 300 pairs of boots just for the sale.
Finnie says he’ll have all sizes (5-11 US) on hand; boots that retail up to $245 will be priced at $75, and shoes that retail up to $165 will be available for $40.
Plus, this year, he’ll have leather handbags that will also be greatly reduced for the sample sale–originally priced from $95-$225, bags will be priced at $49-$89 for the sale.
Finnie always loves the opportunity to host the sale, and sees it sort of like a gift he can give to his hometown.
“The sample sale started off as a quiet friends and family kind of thing. Over the years it mushroomed into a more major, twice-yearly thing that people literally stop me in the supermarket and thank us for,” he laughs. “It is beneficial to both me and the town.”
Having the Local Soul space now provides Finnie with a permanent home for the sale. In past years he held it in his previous, cramped office behind Pinocchio Pizza and last summer it took place in the old post office building next door to Wilton Cleaners. But now, people will get the chance to enjoy the great sample sale deals and see Local Soul.
Since opening the store at the end of October, and successfully navigating a busy holiday season, Finnie and his partners in the store–his wife, Leslie Finnie, and Beth Montford–have enjoyed everything, especially the local aspect.
“The town helped us with the store name and so many people come in to check us out and see the continually revolving goods we get in. Our sales were way, way, way over any kind of projections we made. We are overwhelmed at the town’s support. We have also been getting some Westport customers and lots from Weston, Redding and Fairfield (crazily). I think Wilton residents feel invested in our store and are truly trying to help us succeed,” he adds, gratefully.
Despite chatting with GOOD Morning Wilton from the car on the way to the airport for a Fall ’17 scouting trip to Italy, Finnie says he’s looking forward to welcoming people into the store for the sample sale on Jan. 23, and into February as long as stock remains.
“It’s going to be a great sale.”
Local Soul is located at 90 Old Ridgefield Rd.