Ballard’s favorite kick-around, casual, quasi-athletic (does anyone ever play tennis in those Converses?) shoe store, the Sneakery, recently expanded to West Seattle. The former’s Erin Gill and the latter’s Andrea Berthold see to all manner of sneaker-related inquiries, whether for Keds, Draven, Oetzi, Toms, or Adidas. Or for any number of sneaker accoutrement. Here’s a look into a day or two in their lives.

WWW: What song or album is playing on your store’s sound system right now?
Gill: At this moment we are listening to Dude York’s album Gangs of Dude York. It’s new-ish local band that we can’t get enough of.

What was you first job in retail? What did you love or hate about it and how does it compare to what you do now?
Gill: I was a clerk at a video store. It was awesome. I got to do my homework, drink soda, and snap into Slim Jims all day!

What’s your favorite thing in the store right now?
Berthold: We just tracked down some knee socks with licensed characters—Harry Potter, Batman, Superman, and my favorite, Wonder Woman. Each sock has a little superhero cape flying off the back. We carry hundreds of styles of socks, so it’s fun to have something new that makes people really, really happy to get out there and have their capes flying behind them!

Where do you shop when you’re not at your store?
Berthold: I always stop in at our neighbors, Curious Kidstuff. They have stickers, toys, art projects, and strange random things like mini rubber babies and tiny decks of cards. Also, I like Northwest Art and Frame for more crafty things, scented soaps and candles. The West Seattle Antique Mall is another favorite; I can spend hours poking around looking at all the old-timey stuff.

What do you love about your store’s neighborhood? What nearby restaurants, coffee shops, etc. do you recommend?
Gill: The Ballard Sneakery is tucked away in one of Seattle’s best neighborhoods; we have the best regulars! To make your visit to the Sneakery a well rounded one, I would suggest a slice from Crash Landing Pizza, a trip to the perfectly large Goodwill, and a nice cold beer from Molly Maguires.

Berthold: I love how everybody is so proud of West Seattle and is so happy to be here. Also they really embrace local businesses and keep telling us how happy they are to not have to go to the mall for shoes anymore. Directly across the street from us is a magical place called Bakery Nouveau which makes delightful cakes, cookies, sandwiches, and pizza. They’re always baking, which makes the street smell good. A Terrible Beauty is an Irish Pub with lots of live music and yummy food (try the Belfast Burger: a burger stuffed with Camembert cheese and topped with bacon). If I need an escape, I head to West 5 for a chartreuse martini.

What’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened in your store?
Gill: This one time, a man called and asked if this was “The Snickery” and if we sold the caramel Snickers candy. We explained the differences, and both parties were left confused.

Berthold: Previously, our building housed a printing shop called Liberty Bell that was here for almost 40 years. There are people who live in the neighborhood who have been going there forever but didn’t realize they had left. About once a week, someone wanders in with a look on their face like they might have gone crazy, and just says, “Liberty bell? Liberty bell?” It really confuses the other customers until they hear the explanation.