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Shrink-wrapped shoes are a dying breed. The Natural Shoe Store has removed the wrapping from their display shoes in the past few years, but the selection remains chock full of dated treasures like Simples, Vans (these are the original and classic versions), Airwalks, Keds, and Sperry, in addition to such comfortable and earthy delights as Birkenstock, Earth, and Naot. For the Penn crowd, suede New Balances of several varieties line the back wall. If you want to be overwhelmed by choice and orange SALE labels on each and every shoe on the shelves, shop here. If you want only current and contemporary shoes, don't bother. An open-minded shopper will do best at The Natural Shoe Store; I recently stopped in to browse the sensible work shoes selection, but walked away with $12.95 tan espadrilles in an old yellowed box, while my friend who "just came along for the trip" got a pair of red slip-on Keds mules for $9.95. But be forewarned: some timeless gems (including the several below $10 colored canvas sneakers near the front door) are available in very limited sizes.
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