From pumps to hiking boots, to dresses and scarves – Sonoma Steps owner Barbara Bradley has created a store geared toward local style.
Ryan lely/Sonoma Valley Sun
From Cinderella to Imelda Marcos, it’s been proven that shoes are a woman’s Achilles heel. Understanding this, Barbara Bradley has opened Sonoma Steps, a shoe store that specializes in footwear that is fun, trendy and moderately priced.
Bradley had rented out the upper floor of Sonoma Girlie Stuff on West Napa for the last nine months, testing the concept and seeing what Sonoma women yearned for in styles of shoes and accessories. When the owner of Sonoma Girlie Stuff made the decision to spend more time with her family in Napa, Bradley felt the time was right to expand Sonoma Steps, and took over the entire space. “I wanted a store where we could have styles and merchandise for the locals,” said Bradley.
Pumps and flats
No, not a roadside emergency, pumps and flats are the two current extremes in footwear fashion, according to Bradley. “This season’s pumps, or high heels, are higher and tend to flatter legs and ankles, whereas flats are cute, comfortable and can be worn with almost anything,” said Bradley. Sonoma Steps has large selections of both, along with sparkly party shoes, wedgies and boots. Some of the lines featured will be Summer Rio, Aida, Edward Paul, Bleach and Top Mode.
Sonoma Steps will be open while work continues on décor and inventory. Bradley is adding handbags, leggings and tights, jewelry and accessories and a hand-selected line of clothing. The store has already been brightened up with vibrant, playful colors and new floors are being installed.
Ask a busy person
Bradley also owns Vaqueros, a boutique clothing store with a mix of the iconic Western look and an Hispanic influence evident in the tailored, well-cut jackets, pants and hats. Located in The Springs, Vaqueros opened in November of 2006. Bradley intends eventually to bring some of the same men’s lines, especially dress boots, to Sonoma Steps.
Bradley’s primary business for many years has been operating a caregiver service. Using up most of the 24 hours in the day, she still runs that company and makes time to oversee her new enterprises. “I love the caregiving service. Every day you can make a difference in someone’s life,” said Bradley. “The retail stores are a kind of outlet for my creative side, and luckily I’ve learned to delegate and hire really great people. It’s a lot of fun when someone comes in and finds that special something that they just love, and they leave happy.”
Sonoma Steps
414 First St. W.
Sonoma
