Steven saved my life! I got two pairs of shoes shipped by an online dance shoe store, then a third from a department store, but with 5 days until my daughter's wedding it was Teddy Shoes that saved the day. Perfect ballroom dance shoes for the wedding. Loved being in the old time dance shoe store. I felt like I went back in time when salesmen used your name and searched for that perfect pair of shoes up on a ladder. I want to go back just to wander around the little shop and feel like a kid again buying my tap and ballet shoes. Oh, and when I'm done pop next door to browse the vinyl records. See you soon Teddy Shoes. Never leave!! read more

Teddy Shoes - Dance shoes! - Shoe Stores Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

Strong expertise based on decades in the business, great selection and a lovely shopping experience. Steven is terrific!

Stephen was so kind and attentive to my needs. The store is small and cluttered but the quality and abundance of merchandise was amazing.

I drove to Teddy's in Cambridge, MA, all the way from Troy, NY, on the recommendation of two dance friends. I do English country dancing and have struggled for years without success to find dance shoes that would comfortably fit my distorted feet (bunions etc.) and accommodate my orthotics. With Steve's expert help, I found two pairs on Teddy's extensive inventory that should help to keep me dancing for a long time to come. I'm si grateful!! read more

Steven, the owner, was very helpful and the selection of men's and women's dance shoes was very extensive. This is the place to go for dance shoes and more. 5 stars easily! The prices were good too! read more

I had to pick up a pair of kneepads for a class later this evening so dropped by Teddy Shoes. The owner was so kind and welcoming and helped me pick out a pair that fit. It's a cute family-owned store with a lot of fun selections. Thank you! read more

I drove an hour to get to Teddy Shoes, I paid for parking and waited outside for a half hour on August 22,2024 from 11:00am to 11:30. The store never opened. I will not come back. read more

Teddy Shoes - Closed store - Shoe Stores Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I tried purchasing "new" taps shoes from this business. When they arrived, there was water damage on the metal parts of the taps as well as rust. Thankfully they were too big so I had to return them anyway. But I did call the owner and asked if these were used tap shoes and he admitted there was some flooding that my have affected the appearance of the shoes but reiterated that he stands behind everything they sell to their customers. (Selling damaged shoes at full new shoes pricing?! Okay...) He said that I would receive a full refund for returning the shoes. But when I got the refund, there were $10 dollars missing from the refund. I reached out again and he claimed their was shipping component that he needed to deduct from the refund. I PAID OUT OF POCKET FOR BOTH SHIPPING COSTS! I paid the expedited shipping (which wasn't a part of that refund) and I paid for the return shipping. I was never given a return shipping label! So beware of this place y'all. If you're looking to purchase "new" dance shoes, my recommendation is to look elsewhere. read more

0/5, appalling store honestly. I came in to look for dance shoes based on a suggestion by a dance instructor (makes sense as the studio is next door). Really awkward and unfriendly vibe - for example, the staff were glaring at me the entire time I was browsing. I select a pair of shoes of a brand I'm familiar with. The shoes are rather dirty, even though this one was marked as one of the new ones. There was no price tag on the shoe or the box so I politely ask a staff member what the price is. The staff member refuses to tell me. She even says "well, are you going to buy it?". I responded, rather dumbfounded, "obviously not before knowing the price" and she just repeats her question. Seriously? You expect me to buy this dirty pair without A. Not knowing how much it is B. That attitude. I told them exactly that and staff responds after a long pause, arms crossed, what the price was. Since I know the brand, I know that that was quite overpriced (even for a boutique). Left the store. That night I find the shoes on Amazon, brand new for 1/5 of the price, and pull the trigger. I want to shop local but there is literally no excuse for that treatment. read more

Terrible customer service. Condescending once I asked for shoes to fit my budget ($60) because shoes in there go for $100++. Also, picked up my phone because i had an imcoming message and was accused of looking for their shoes online. Clearly, they gave me a great idea and I found the same shoes all brands for half the price. Thank you Teddy's shoes for the great idea as I wouldn't have thought of buying shoes online. Also, the store is very dusty and disorganized. And good luck on your return/xchange policy. read more

Teddy Shoes has become my favorite store of absolute absurdity. It's stocked with a bunch of varieties of leggings/stockings/pimp hats/shoes and more shoes. Ballet and yoga gear heaven. Don;t be fooled by the metal guard rail thing you pull down to lock the store (what do you call that??).. it's almost halfway down all the time so the store looks closed but inside are PEARLS and DIAMONDS! The trees and homeless crazy's infront also cover this place so make sure to look closely. It's next to Putnam Furniture and Cheapo Records or was it Shalimar of India... Anyways this is beginning to sound like Platform 9 3/4 (harry potter reference holler). The owner guy welcomes you with his glossy eyes and asks "Whatchu need dear?" with the warmest voice. Okay fine I walked in here pretty buzzed from pregaming early on Halloween.. so he looked like some mystical key maker with white hair and fair skin... but he was nice. I found my bright red leggings and also a red fedora with no issues in about 5 seconds with his help. It was cheap and wonderful. I also went in a couple times after that to just look at things. Rows of high heeled plastic ..as the cast of Sound of Music may or may not call them .. prostitute shoes. I highly recommend lifting up the plastic covering to the more ADULT leggings twirl rack. Dirty filthy hilarious stuff. I'm going back to buy myself some dance pants, just because. read more

Teddy Shoes - stolen off google.com somewhere - Shoe Stores Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I've never gone inside Teddy Shoes before, despite living in Cambridge for a long time. My friend and I went here to buy ballet shoes, as we recently decided to start taking a ballet class. It quickly because obvious that I had no idea about ballet shoes, despite researching it beforehand. The woman who helped me and my friend was super helpful. She got us a few different pairs to try, gave us pros/cons of different styles, and was patient. When I asked her how to know if they fit well, etc., she managed to answer all my questions. We ended up getting 2 great pairs of ballet shoes, and neither were that expensive ($25-35). They also looked like they had a great selection of other kinds of dance shoes, such as tap. They also have tons of crazy shoes if that's your thing! The store was a bit crowded and it was a little overwhelming, but I'd definitely come back to browse the selection another time. The owner was there and asked us how we had heard of Teddy Shoes and if we had been there before... he also thanked us for coming in and giving them a try! I ended up leaving my bag of clothes there by accident. I didn't realize it for a few days, and when I called the store he told me that they did have it and they were keeping it safe. I went to pick it up a day or two later, and they still had it! I really appreciated it. read more

i've been coming here on and off for many many years. Having a close friend living in Boston gives me the excuse to drop by this funky Central Square location...it's as if I've wandered into a time warp-yet in some ways so 21st centruy.(e.g. LGBT people as well as women with veils...catered to in the same store by a friendly staff?!) in recent years my selection gets a little less as the dance/ballet focus of the store rises to the top...but hey what an ambience, and what friendly people If you live in Boston, dance or do ballet, it's worth thr trip. Ask for Steve, the owner, and you'll walk away happy. read more

Found two great unitards here. One a tank top style (made in Guatemala) I bought for myself. Another, Camisole style (made in U.S.A.), I bought as a gift for my sister. Great for working out and to wear with a sweater or oxford over it! Staff was super helpful and friendly :-) read more

Awesome place! I waited until last minute to buy dance shoes on a Sunday and Teddy's Shoes was the only dance wear store that was open!! It's also less than 2 mins from central station on the red line so getting there was easy and convenient. It was my first time there and was overwhelmed by all the shoes I saw when I first walked in but then quickly realized every single shoe is organized into the category they pertain. I picked out 3 pairs of character shoes within my first 5 mins of being in there and the employees and owner got my sizes and made sure I felt comfortable in the one I chose. The owner even told me to try them on a wooden floor they had so I'd get a better feel for what they'd actually feel like in a studio. Everyone was super nice and I'll definitely be going back there. Thanks again guys!! read more

Teddy Shoes - My new buy! - Shoe Stores Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

I went to Teddy's to buy new salsa shoes. Steve greeted me right away and was very attentive and gracious through the whole experience. He helped me pick out the right type, brought out many options in my size, and set me up with padding to minimize the typical stretching/slipping that happens with dance shoes. There were many options to choose from, and I was able to find the perfect pair. Steve was kindly willing to negotiate on price. As far as retail service goes, you couldn't ask for anything better. I'd highly recommend you shop at Teddy's shoes. read more

Great place to get ballet shoes and leotards for your kids! Staff and owner were very helpful this am. The place is def a throwback, so if you are looking for clean aisles and bright lights this place isn't for you. But if you want to support a local Cambridge business, enjoy a good laugh with friendly staff and are ok with a little disorganization and a big inventory to find what you need.. go to Teddy's. :-) read more

Teddy Shoes may well be the most uncomfortable store in Boston for a sweet little boy like me to browse around, but I had to go see after Annie's write-up. Thanks Annie! I now feel corrupted. Anyway, it's shoe-fetish heaven. But not Imelda-Marcos-1000-pairs-of-Jimmy-Choos-style fetish, but more creepy-old-fat-transvestite-uncle kind of shoes fetish. Many of the shoes have heels breaking the double-digit centimeter mark and there are platform boots with rooms for a fish to swim in under your feet (seriously). It's a fun place to browse but I have the feeling the only purchases made here are by people heading to fun parties, wardrobe specialists for the local theatres, hos looking for boots that go all the way up to their waxing scars and creepy old men. It's no coincidence that Kabir H lives round the back, is it? read more

Teddy's Shoes has multiple personalities; the store doesn't know from one moment to the next whether it wants to sell pink leotards and tights to 5-year-olds and their mommies or sell 7" plastic heels with 2.5" platforms to a rather different kind of dancer. If you plan on coming back, ask for a loyalty card. The store keeps track of your purchases in their computer and after 12 transactions gives you a gift certificate equal to the average amount you spent each visit. read more

This place is pretty awful, so only go here if you're desperate. Steve (possibly the owner?) sits at the till and exudes an oily, creepy vibe when you go up to pay. I'm not sure why someone would have all your stripper footwear needs met in the same store as some of your legitimate dancewear needs, but if you need some ganky looking, dirty stripper heels (is the visible dirt from returned items? or just from customers trying on the shoes? why is there so much grime collected in the inside of the shoe, where the underside of the foot goes?) along with your jazz shoes, you'll want to go here. Sizing is pretty awful here, and the sales ladies I've dealt with are all very nice and well-meaning, but they don't actually know much about fit and the brands. A lot of blank stares. My main gripe is that the selection and size availability is poor, and the merchandise is often old, worn, and/or dirty looking. I'd overlook everything else if this part weren't true. And yet, Steve sits comfortably at his till, smug in the knowledge that us carless folks are just going to keep coming back in hopes that something will work out because there just isn't anywhere else for us to go. read more

If you're looking for sketchy and possibly rude service, a massively messy selection, and a guilt trip....this is your place. Now, really, if you just want to experience the wonder that is Teddy's Shoes, definitely go for a sightseeing browse. If you want to buy dance shoes, seek out vendors online or at dance events. In the years that I've been trying hard to be a customer of this local shoe shop, I have yet to have a good experience in their store. The 1st or 2nd time I went in with a gal pal of mine, the salesman was so incredibly sketchy I felt dirty after we left. He spent most of our 'sales experience' trying to guess our ages and give us semi-lewd 'compliments'. :shudder: Other times I've strolled in, looked around for long periods of time, and been thoroughly ignored by the staff or had such non-helpful answers that I left frustrated. On today's jaunt in, I had (what appeared to be) the owner try to guilt me into buying a pair of dance sneakers from them, instead of directly from the vendors' website, because then I'd be supporting their store. Uhmn, I happen to know that the particular shoe line I was asking about was started by a Mom n Pop dance couple, for dancers. And for some reason the owner couldn't see the logic in me buying directly from them and having them shipped, since he didn't have the size or color I wanted in stock. Right. Because that would make me a happy customer. If your service continues to suck, and your store remains a cluttered mess, good luck to you Teddy's Shoes. read more

My experience here was EXTREMELY positive! The customer service was amazing and I was fitted for my first pair of ballet slippers. They were so kind and helped my find my size and showed me nearly 10 pairs of shoes so that I could find the perfect one! I ended up also purchasing a leotard, wrap, and leg warmers as well! Would highly recommend going and supporting this wonderful local business!! read more

There would be far fewer stars if there were other dance stores around here. I don't mind the cluttered, cramped environment or the various eccentricities, it's the sleazy azz boobgazing dude who's always been on shift every time I've been there over the years. I scolded him for using intimate terms of address in what should be a professional environment, but even when he's not calling me sweetie/dear/sugartits he's still a boobgazing creeper. Still, I've always found what I've wanted and/or needed for prices comparable to what you'd find on the internet. And you can't try things on on the internet, so Teddy's it is. read more

*ask for student discount First time I went here, I had such a bad experience. I was looking for standard/smooth ballroom shoes and it was the first time I was looking for shoes on my own. The woman helping me felt like any question I was asking (about the type of shoe) was super offensive and we could get nothing accomplished. I think she thought I was questioning her knowledge about how well she knew the shoe product or something? She also asked me to help look for the shoes in the back where the stock is held. Isn't that her job? I went there a second time and there was a man "helping" me. I get that it's a business and they want to sell things but he was trying to sell me things that weren't my (shoe) size. & The clothes are very over priced. Although, I found a great pair of used practice shoes. I just didn't like how the store only put out one shoe for display and when I tried asking to try on the other pair, the employee said, "well if one shoe fits then the other would fit too, right? I'll just put them both on the counter." Come to find out there was a rip on the other shoe (the one not displayed). I understand that it's a used pair but just be honest, I would've still bought it because I know it's used and it was very affordable. It was not refundable as all sales were final. The used pair still work fine but this store sucks!! Never going here again. read more

I was in need of some ballet slippers for a performance, and wanted to try before I buy. The good news was that they had black ballet slippers. The bad news is that I basically got shoehorned into buying a different pair than I wanted, and the sales associates were far from helpful - I'd done my research and knew what I wanted. The sales associates were more interested in their own gossip than helping me - so while I have my shoes, if I need more dancewear in the future, I'm going to be buying it online. I wanted to shop local, but I was disappointed. read more

Shopping for suede sole dancing shoes at Teddy Shoes is like shopping for a wand at Ollivander's. The small, cozy shelves of dance shoes and crates of dance wear transport you to a bygone time. Mariale, the store manager, professional dancer, and dance teacher told me that there is no recommended shoe for a beginner. She could be in a SNL skit. To shop for a shoe, you must put it on. What works for one person does not necessarily work for another. Everyone is different. You must put the shoe on and feel it. At first I shopped with my eyes. Mi amor, she said, why are you going back to that shoe when this one feels best on your feet? It's like men. Many women pick the wrong man for the wrong reasons. You must pick the one that feels just right. Go with how it feels on your foot. Thanks, Mariale, they are like buttah! read more

This store had me a little puzzled. I had four ballroom shoes I wanted to try on in a nine. After a decent wait, the owner (?) glanced quickly at what I had out, then went off to find what he had. I ended up getting a nine wide in one, two nines in different styles entirely, and one correct pair to try on. There was no "well we didn't have what you wanted but here is the closest"... just sort of plopped down and walked away. He didn't seem to be paying a lot of attention to me, so I didn't really feel like bothering him to get the correct pairs. I ended up buying a $10 bargain-bin pair. (Good deal, but obviously previously worn.) Maybe I'll go back again and see if I have better luck. Update: bargain shoes fell apart I think the second time I wore them. :( I keep gluing the heel back to the shoe. Hopefully one of these times it will stick..... read more

I have been buying shoes from this store for a couple of years now. When it comes to getting dancing shoes, Teddy's is the only place to get them (Unfortunately, because there is no other dancing shoe store around.) Aesthetically Teddy's gets -1 star rating. The place is cluttered and very unorganized. It does not give you a good vibe when you walk in and the first thing you notice is the lack of cleanliness. The store smells moldy, the shelving and decor are just not appealing at all. My experiences over the last couple of years buying shoes at Teddy's had only been positive due to the masterful and amazing customer service from the store manager Mariale (Pretty much the only reason why I came back to Teddy's.) As a dancer and shoe lover I walked into Teddy's yesterday to treat my self for Christmas. The two sales people were on their phones and not paying much attention to me; once I was able to get their attention, the lady who helped me was not very friendly but rather rude. Feeling a little uncomfortable and frustrated with the customer service I was getting I asked where Mariale was, and I got more information that I asked for. This lady and the other young sales man basically defamed their own manager Mariale in such terms that I became completely outraged and decided to Yelp it (I only wanted dot know where she was). After this very unpleasant experience I question if I ever want to go back to this little sketchy, cluttered moldy-smelling store where the selection is very poor and size availability is always a problem. Teddy's merchandise is noticeably old, often times worn, and most times dirty looking. I am concerned about not having any other stores to go to and having to go back to Teddy's because there just isn't anywhere else for dancers to go but dancing shoes. Cleanliness 1 Star Quality of product 3 Stars Selection 3 Stars Customer Service 1 Star read more

This place is a trip. When I came in there was a gaggle of sales women sitting down chatting. They were a lot of fun and did quickly offer to help when people came in. Nonetheless, the man at the counter would bellow every few minutes "X needs some service here!" or "Are you busy helping a customer X" kind of like he was a pimp. It was pretty fun given that there were only 2 customers there. The store is totally cluttered and none of the merchandise seems that fresh, but I found what I needed. I left convinced that there were probably lots of other good things there, but I'd never find them unless I knew exactly what to ask for. read more

I came in to Teddy Shoes this evening to buy tango shoes. What a fun store, very old-school Central Square, with lots of funky shoes and stockings, as well as other dance clothing items . I love that you can buy your sky high red stripper heels here as well as ballet shoes, etc.! I had purposely avoided coming in until I got paid, because I had the feeling I'd find something I couldn't resist. I tried on one pair of tango shoes that pinched my toes, so the sales guy, the one behind the register, went down and got me about five pairs he thought might be good for me. He was very helpful when I asked him questions, but was not the slightest but pushy. Also, it was near closing time and I asked him to let me know when it was time so I wouldn't keep them late , and he very nicely said not to worry about it. One of the pairs of shoes he brought me was just perfect, and I happily bought them . This was a very pleasant experience, and I can't wait to tango in my sexy, comfy new shoes! I will definitely be back. read more

I've been to Teddy's a bunch of times for various dancewear needs. It's crazy, cramped, stuffed to the gills, right next to Hubba Hubba and the homeless folks in Central Square. It is also the only place accessible by T to purchase dancewear. While they're not the most welcoming people, they know their product. They know you will never find it if left to your own devices. Seriously, the place looks like a hoarding dancer owns it. They are interested in getting you in and out of there with exactly what you need. I purchased a pair of tights a few weeks back and when I went to put them on, they did NOT fit. It's not just that I bought the wrong size, because someone smaller than me tried them on, too. I think they were just...wrong. So I took them back, expecting to have to argue a bit, but the guy let me exchange them, no problem. Prices are comparable to what you'll find online. read more

This has been a favorite go-to for many years. Friendly staff really knows their stuff and always makes sure I see all they have on hand. We are fortunate to have this business in our neighborhood. read more

Rude, dismissive staff. I walked in with the intent to get help purchasing ballet slippers because the pairs I bought online were too tight. All of the shoes are either out of the boxes or in bags. I asked several times if any of the shoes were new and the guy refused to answer. He kept saying that he might be able to resell my ill-fitting slippers if they looked new. He dismissed me out the door, saying that because I didn't bring the slippers for him to asses the quality for resale then he couldn't help me try on other pairs. Will not return. read more

We were there to buy men's dance shoes, and the selection was pretty small. We tried to ask questions about the types of styles available but the lady seemed to not understand English and just waved vaguely "men's shoes over there". The stench in the store was overwhelming - it was like raw sewage and/or dead rats. I tried to walk around the store, but I couldn't because I was gagging on the foul odor. They only had 2 sizes in stock, and it took them forever to find the second size. "It was in the boiler room, haha!" That's probably where the dead rats were. I stopped looking around because I knew I would never feel comfortable buying anything there. read more

Steve, the owner, greeted me right away and was very helpful. i told him what I needed and he brought a number of items out for me to try on, including a chair to sit on. Yes, we did this in the foyer to the store, but he went out of his way to make it OK. Very gracious. read more

I will start off by saying that if you can go anywhere else for shoes, then do it! Or, please exhaust all your options before going here,,,and even then,,,don't go! When I purchased my shoes the process felt almost pressured but I thought I found a pair that I liked so I purchased them. After trying them on again at home I discovered the left shoe was not made correctly, the inside toe area was uneven on the sole, pushing my big toe to the top, making it very uncomfortable. Here is were the "fun" starts! Still within my 7 day return period, I drive back to Boston to return or exchange them. The woman (she would not tell me her name), in the store said I could only return them with the woman who sold them to me???? She said she would be in after 3:00, so I could either wait or come back (it was 12:00). I told her I wasn't coming back into Boston and asked (again) if could she look to see if they had another pair. She kept mumbling something about "this is what we are going to do"?? Again, I asked if she could look to see if there was another pair in my size for an exchange. She then went and got the display shoe, which was a size 6.5 and turned it over and started to read the tag to me. Literally, she started to read all the sizes the shoe came in!! I told her I didn't care about what sizes the shoe came in, I need a 5.5, to which she replied, can you do a 5, I said NO and then she asked, can you do a 7.5!!!! I can't make this stuff up! At that point I asked her again to please check if they had my size 5.5. She said she was the only one in the store and couldn't go down with someone in the store. I told her I would wait outside. She finally said she would go down stairs to look but if anyone else came in she would have to come up. I said fine (thankfully no one came in) After 13 minutes, she came back up with my old shoes to tell me that she couldn't find any and I would need to come back. I took my shoes and left, I'll eat the cost and hope that somehow my husband can fix them. I wish I had read some of the reviews before I went there. Huge lesson learned! read more

The 1 star rating is for the horrendous customer service from one of their employees. I came in here with my best friend because she needed to buy go- go boots for a job at a dance club. My best friend picked a boot off their $10 rack outside the store and asked to try it on and find its mate. She also asked to see their selection of go go boots in her size. There were two women working in the store. The one who helped us at first was grudging about bringing us over to the boots. She treated taking off the elastic that held the boots as a pair like it was one of the Labors of Heracules. Later, the employee asked whether my friend liked the boots that she suggested. My best friend said she preferred the ones on the $10 rack and the employee audibly GROWLED. My best friend and I made faces at each other like: "Did you just hear that too?" It took this employee 10 or more minutes to search for the boot's mate. She told us she was unable to find it. Her attitude, tone, and body language was as if she were complaining and as if we were inconveniencing her for these small tasks. However, the other employee was able to find it within 2 minutes or less. The second employee was much more competent, polite, and spirited. She also helped my friend find some fishnets and provided information on pricing. After my friend decided to buy the go- go boots and a pair of fishnets, the first employee turned to me and asked, "What about you? Aren't you going to buy anything?" I was shocked. Is it wrong to accompany your visiting friend while she makes a purchase? After I didn't say anything the first employee said, "Ok, let the pretty one pay." What did she think these kinds of comments would accomplish for the business aside from making both me and my best friend feel awkward? I felt like she was trying to coerce me into buying something. Anyways, the second employee was able to ring us up in a friendly manner. Besides, if it wasn't for my best friend spotting this store, I would have never gone in even though I pass by often. Like others have noted, the store looks dark, dusty, cluttered, and half closed. It also has an eclectic mix from the outside. Once I was inside though, it became clear that it stocks useful products for performance and is handily near the Dance Complex. While I like to support local businesses, based on my interaction with that unprofessional, rude employee who growled at my friend and me, I will be avoiding Teddy Shoes even when I need ballet slippers. read more

Why haven't I found this wonderful place sooner! It's funky, well-stocked. I was served by the owner, who was gracious and more helpful than any other shoe salesman than I've encountered in the 21st century. He sized up my personal style of dress and brought me two pairs of VERY comfortable sports shoes, both of which I purchased on the spot. No need to look at 10 or 20 other possibilities. He actually used one of those foot-measuring plates, which went out of fashion in the 1990s. We had a good chat about how foot size changes with time. He helped me get the shoe onto my "difficult" left foot, secured the laces they way I usually neglect to do, and told me I could keep the little shoe horn if I liked. My only regrets? (1) I didn't have time to inspect the rest of the stock: interesting hats, bags, and other clothing. Luckily, I can always come back another day! (2.) Instead of the soft rock channel on the radio, he should have had Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, and Brubeck. Oh well. read more

I take off the 5th star because of the *ahem* clientele that was literally leaning against the store's outside wall (and sort of blocking my way in). If stuff like that doesn't bother you, pretend there are 5 stars. I know nothing (bold, italics, underscore) about dance shoes. NOTHING. But since I am starting ballet lessons at the Dance Complex (review soon to come), I figure I should buy some ballet slippers. The store is overcrowded with shoes (of all dance persuasions) and leotards, unitards, etc. A tiny bit overwhelming. But to my luck and relief, the man behind the counter (whose name I overheard from another customer is Steve) came to my aide. I explained my situation. I explained I had aboslutely no idea how to start picking out shoes -- how I hadn't even taken dance before (at least not since I was 7...and insisted going to ballet lessons in my bathing suit). I told him my shoe size, he asked me for color and canvas preferences and the rest was history. He walked over to this huge pile of boxes, picked one out and left me to try it on. He came back a little while later to see how I was doing. (It didn't fit.) He explained what I want in a ballet shoe (a glove-like feeling without being squished) and went into another room and came back with a pair of slippers that felt so much better than the first pair. (After buying them and trying them on at home, I realize that they are a little too big and might have to go back tomorrow to exchange them. Note to self and to others -- when trying on slippers, STAND UP. Don't put them on while sitting down...) I was extremely impressed with how comfortable I was in this store. It didn't make a difference that I didn't know what I was looking for. The guy was extremely patient and I appreciated the fact that he explained everything to me. Definitely worth the trip out to Central Square... read more

I think I need to bring future boyfriends and judgmental friends to Teddy's before they see my room. That way they won't mind that I have two full back-of-the-door shoe racks, a basket of shoes, and shoes strewn across my floor and the mud rack outside. Teddy's has a ridiculous amount of shoes lining and spilling off the walls and whoever I bring will feel like I have less of a problem after seeing this selection. But I wasn't at there for shoes last time around... Where ma tutus AT, son? With the disappearance of Boston Dancewear on Mass Ave. (apparently army wear is needed more), Teddy's is pretty much your only stop for dancewear in the T-able area. There's a Capezio out in Wellesley and some other stores out towards the commuter rail.. but I don't have that kind of time or transportation! I stopped in to Teddy's to purchase my tutu skirt (FYI.. tutus that extend past your bum are skirts) for Yelp Prom last week. I had a vision of Madonna meets "Teen Witch" when Ligaya first told me she was organizing an 80s/90s prom but left the tutu plannage to the last minute.. aka.. night before and day of prom. After calling pretty much everyone that might know about dance (friends that graduated in dance/dance theater, Dorothy's, Dance Complex, Extreme Dance, Boston Costume, the Garment District, Hubba Hubba - yeah I know.. I figured I'd give it a shot).. Teddy's was my last chance. No one really carries tutus.. most carry petticoat type mabobs. Are you serious? In this entertainment town? A ballet instructor at Dance Complex was kind enough to get on the phone with me and suggest Teddy's, but by the time I got there the night before prom they were closed (but don't be fooled when the metal closure is halfway down during the day.. it usually is when they're open). Alas, I called the next day and the owner said that they had my tutussss! WAHOOOOO. I only had an hour before prom to get one.. but I was gonna get one... run run run. The guy that helped me, I'm assuming the owner or one of the managers, was nice but very matter of fact tossed in with a few "sweeties" and "honeys". He corrected me when I asked for a tutu (skirt skirt skirt) but wasn't a snob about it. When I had come in initially he was doing some serious customer service with a woman, "I just want you to be happy". Respect. Things are reasonably priced and you might even catch a good sale. My only ish with this place is it's a little small. I don't even want to imagine it crowded. And the dressing room is in the stock room. There is a mirror and two or three little curtains for "privacy" but you're literally in their stock room changing. Errrrr... I guess the people coming in for the outfits (some kinky) and dancewear don't really care about showing their bare bum! read more