CITYist

At first glance, you may confuse the Ruia Shoe Boutique, which opened this past November on Mercer, for an elegant (yet electronically decked-out) living room. But most parlors don’t display exclusive European shoes as décor (Oh, but one can dream). Rather than use standard wood shelving to exhibit its covetable footwear, Ruia utilized charming white armoires, desks, chairs, and curved side tables, adding to its cozy atmosphere. Eyeing a pair of posh pumps? Try them on while sitting on one of the many comfy couches throughout the boutique. And if your shopping pal is a tad impatient, look to the back for a solution: Ruia deserves some extra credit for this waiting room, which is equipped with a slew of inviting love seats, a flat screen television, and complimentary cocktails and champagne.

Our love for the décor aside, Ruia is more than just a plush shoe closet. Noticing a gap in New York’s accessibility to European footwear, Kajal Ruia, a Manchester native and creator of Ruia Shoe Boutique, decided it was time to bring her passion to SoHo. Most of the designers offered are obscure, but certainly not lacking in luxury, like London-based Cleo B or Portuguese success Luis Onofre. The stock is entirely handpicked and limited in quantity, meaning little risk of Forever 21 knock-offs ruining the fun of your new purchase. Most shoes run from $400-$1,000.

Whether you’re looking for a fun place to try on gorgeous footwear or are on the hunt for a great pair of rare shoes, Ruia is worth a visit. And with complimentary drinks and a television, we have no doubt you’ll have any trouble finding a shopping buddy.

Check out http://RuiaNYC.com or the boutique itself at 65 Mercer Street.