Stephan Burnett
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (May 26/04) - Sole Obsession is a new shoe store opening on Franklin Avenue, just down from Key West Travel.

A trio of entrepreneurs Chelsey LaRose, Vicki Tompkins and Rosemary Youngblut stand in the doorway of their new shoe store, Sole Obsession, on Franklin Avenue. - Stephan Burnett/NNSL photo

Owners Chelsea LaRose, Vicki Tompkins and Rosemary Youngblut say they're pushing for a June 1 opening.

The interior of the store is still under construction, although it is already bright and cheery with peach-coloured walls. The lights are angled and the grey display walls lie, as of yet, untouched by the soles of shoes.

The trio plans to sell comfortable, funky footwear, says LaRose.

Some of the brand names include, Clark's, Naot and John Fluevog -- a Vancouver designer.

Other lines will be brought in from For Women Only, which is owned by Tompkins and Youngblut, including Elle, Tommy Hilfiger and Rockport.

"So some of the shoes carried here will be similar to the shoes at For Women Only," says Youngblut.

At the same time, however, Tompkins and Youngblut clarify that Sole Obsessions is a separate store, independent from For Women Only.

"I've worked for Vicki and Rose for years and they started putting the seed in my mind," says LaRose.

The new store will specialize in shoes for women, as well as handbags, jewelry and accessories.

"But I love shoes. What woman doesn't?" she asked, smiling.

A circle of family and friends helped the trio get Sole Obsessions underfoot. LaRose expects to be in the store for quite a few hours of her day.

"I'm ready for a change. I'm excited by the fact that it's mine, my name is behind it and it's your thing and your store," says LaRose.