Shoes, shoes, shoes

The boutique selling shoes for women, men and teens will open Thursday, April 24.

Hours: Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Address: 415 N.E. Fourth Ave, Camas

Phone: 210-4077

Email: arktanashoes@gmail.com

Web: www.arktana.com Facebook: Search “Arktana”

Grand opening: During the grand opening celebration, set for Friday, May 2, from 4 to 8 p.m., food and wine will be served, shoppers will receive a gift with purchase — while supplies last — and there will be a raffle for a pair of Jambu shoes.

1950s cinema and fashion icon Marilyn Monroe once said, “Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world.”

For many women, shoes are not simply worn to protect feet from the elements, but as unique expressions of style, mood and personality.

With this in mind, a new boutique in downtown Camas will soon offer footwear for women and men in a variety of styles, colors and sizes, with a special focus on customer service and attention to detail.

“Arktana,” owned by Camas resident Ann Matthews, will open its doors Thursday, April 24. A grand opening celebration is planned for First Friday, May 2.

An independent Silpada Designs representative for eight years, Matthews said she has been tossing around the idea of opening a shoe store for the past five years.

“I’ve always been a shoe lover,” she said. “But to be honest, it’s never been something I could find locally. I always knew that Camas needed a shoe store. I always told my husband that if I don’t open it, someone else will. It’s just a matter of time.”

Arktana will offer brands including Juil, Franco Sarto, Fidji, Rieker Antistress, Teva, Chocolat Blu, Rocket Dog, Eric Michael, Jambu and Sandro Moscoloni.

“I definitely wanted the brands I chose to be all-day wearable,” Matthews said. “That was really important to me, because I work on my feet all day. I don’t like to get dressed in the morning and by the time it’s time to do my next thing in the evening, my feet are killing me and I have to change my shoes.

“All of the brands I whittled through, they are all really stylish and really well-made. I was very selective with the brands I chose,” she continued. “My hope is that women can put them on in the morning and wear them all day long and then go out for the evening in them.”

While some of the name brands found at Arktana are also available at large department stores like Macy’s and Nordstrom, Matthews said she specifically chose the lines’ unique boutique styles for her shop.

“Just because they can find Franco Sarto at Nordstrom, doesn’t mean they will find that style [of Franco Sarto shoe] here,” she said.

Prices will range from $30 to $180, and Arktana will offer shoes in sizes ranging from 5 to 11. In addition, Matthews said she will special order specific colors and sizes she doesn’t have in stock, and can have them available in 2 to 3 days.

“I will definitely be able to offer our customers that kind of very personalized service,” she said.

Preparing for opening day has been a “family thing,” according to Matthews. Her husband, Bill, and children, Jessyca, 28, Thomas, 17, Michael, 15, and Holly, 14, have all pitched in to help.

Thomas, a CHS junior and ASB president, will work at the store on weekday evenings and weekends. Matthews describes him as “capable” and “professional.”

“I’m extremely excited to have him helping me with making some of those management decisions, carrying some of that load,’ she said. “I think it will be a very good learning experience for him. He has been stepping into the role already, which has been really fun to see.”

The unique business name also has family ties. It combines the names of Ann’s and Bill’s home states. He is originally from Arkansas and she is from Montana.

“That has been our family word forever,” she said with a smile. “It’s not a real word, but it’s our word.”

Matthews hopes Arktana fills a niche in the community. It will be downtown Camas’ only shop dedicated solely to shoes. She would also like to open up the space, which includes a separate room, for special events, meetings and even trunk shows for shoe lines and Silpada Designs’ silver jewelry.

“The space is perfect for what I hope to do,” she said.