Set No Foot Wrong at Eric

Having lived in Brooklyn for two years, I can’t imagine why I would ever want to move back across the East River to Manhattan. And I’ve come to feel the same way about shopping.

Sure, the fifth floor of Bergdorf’s is heaven, and if you need to scoop up essentials on the cheap, it’s worth braving the crowds at Century 21. But for a pleasant shopping experience in personal boutiques that aren’t outrageously overpriced, Manhattan has nowhere to rival Park Slope.

My case in point would be a shop like , at 202 Seventh Avenue. I salivate every time I set (an increasingly Eric-shod) foot in this beautifully stocked shoe store.

Owner Eric Mudick moved the store from its original Upper East Side location to Park Slope in fall 2008, bringing with it his impeccably chosen array of stylish flats, flattering sandals and mouthwatering leather boots. Mudick favors gorgeous Italian lines like Fiorentini & Baker and Kobra (beige or gray leather sandals with wide ankle-strap, $198), well-crafted homegrown brands like Frye (covetable Oxfords in smooth black leather, $168, or with brogue detailing, $188), and, for easy summer wearing, colorful canvas shoes by Tretorn, Tom’s, Keds and Bensimon (around $40 to $70).

Although I gravitate toward tall boots at any time of year (like the black biker-inspired Fryes with buckles at the ankle and calf, $328), better choices for the season might be one of the many pairs of slightly unusual, pretty sandals with wearable one- or two-inch heels. One pair with ribbons criss-crossing up the front brings Venetian courtesans to mind ($148, in pale olive or chocolate brown), and low Chie Mihara heels in red/white or butter/tan offer a delicate take on Mary Janes ($325).

If the choice is just too overwhelming, as is invariably the case for me, Mudick is usually working the floor himself, and provides unfailingly good advice. And if you still can’t decide, there is often quite a good selection of sale merchandise – in which case, you can let the discounts decide.