Hollywood Footwear

Imagine the road leading from Cherma's to the GPO at Abids, with all its traffic. Now imagine all these road busters minus their vehicles, inside a mammoth showroom. The innards of the Hollywood Footwear are what you are staring at now. Once inside, you are in danger of being propelled forward by some hidden power, mostly the sheer thrust of the crowd, even towards sections you don't want to browse.

Hollywood Footwear can be said to be properly in the shoe biz, and if it was only for the size of the premise or the quantity of its wares, Hollywood could be classified as a bazaar in its own right. You'll encounter never-ending panels decked with formal and casual men's and women's shoes. Amid the confusion of brightly colored and sometimes sequined partywear for women, and the obliging attendants wooing burqa-clad women, you might be able to prop yourself at one of the seats, and wait for your turn. Not that the service is lacking, but like you, the staff too is overwhelmed by the sheer number of people who are eager to get new shoes.

At Hollywood Footwear, you'll come across an exhaustive list of branded shoes for men, including Lee Cooper, Kennedy, Red Tapes, Reebok, Sprandi and Lotus Bawa. There are also chappals (Kolhapuris) priced at Rs. 250 and above, and sandals at Rs. 200 and above.

The women's collection is phenomenal, and includes all possibly imaginable shapes, colors and designs. There are high-heels starting at Rs. 350, slippers at Rs. 260, platforms at Rs. 350 and sandals with tie-laces at Rs. 450. There is an immense variety available, as there are shoes decorated with beadwork, embroidery, sequins and glass. There are also shoes available for kids, and these include casual, party and school shoes.

Sampling the joys of shoe-shopping in Hollywood Footwear will not be a memorable experience to be treasured, as the shop is purged of any aesthetic lighting or layout. Everything is laid bare, with traditional sofas lining the walls and boxes upon boxes of shoes brought for you to try on. But then, here you come to shod yourself without undue exodus of cash from your wallet, and not to savor the ambience.