Alcala’s Western Wear
In the wild wild West Town neighborhood, Alcala’s offers the largest collection of cowboy boots in the city. The selection amounts to more than 8,000 boots, made from exotic animal skins like alligator, ostrich, lizard, stingray, snake, eel and smooth leather. Saddle up the family because they sell boots for all sizes, ranging from infant-sized booties to full-grown adult sizes. The shop, which feels like an old-time hangout in a western movie, stretches room after room, each one housing specific items. While the majority of the rooms are dedicated to boots that come in every cut and color under the sun, the store also sells shirts, jeans, vests, belts, belt buckles and hats. The selection is beyond impressive; from cowboy boots to motorcycle boots, from felt rodeo hats to rhinestone-studded belts and metal buckles to horse equipment, Alcala’s seems to have it all. The staff is attentive, friendly and knowledgeable, taking care of customers in every step of the process, from finding the right fit to picking out the perfect color. The kicker: Alcala’s will clean and condition boots purchased from the store for as long as the wearers own them and it offers boot repair services. Free alterations are available for clothing bought at the store as well. If that’s not enticing enough, maybe the bucking horse statue in the neon sign at the entrance (along with the horse statues scattered throughout the store) will be enough to draw you in.
Alcala’s Western Wear, 1733 West Chicago, (312)226-0152, alcalas.com
Best of Chicago 2012
