Business Spotlight: The Dance Shop

1201 Second Street
415.459.4008
www.facebook.com/thedanceshop

What do they offer?

The Dance Shop offers dance wear, tights and shoe fittings for all styles of dance, including ballet, modern, ballroom and theatre performance.

Who are they?

The Dance Shop was bought in 1987 by former SF Ballet and SF Symphony company members. This charming business and its sister shop in Petaluma have been known for decades as the place to have a proper shoe fitting, in particular, pointe shoe fittings for aspiring prima ballerinas. All employees are trained dancers.

How long have they been there?

The shop originally opened in 1956, the same Marin residents have been the owners since 1987.

Why are they in our business spotlight?

Looking for tango shoes by Bloch? Got em’. What about dance sneakers by Capezio or theatre heels for summer stock? Yup, got those too. Looking for Zumba shoes to join the latest trend in getting fit? Head to The Dance Shop. The walls are lined with pointe shoes, tap shoes and all jazz shoes.

Part of the the shop’s respected business reputation is the highly trained and skilled fitters who can be found behind the counter. Manager Melissa Musser studied with Alvin Ailey Dance in New York City and knows the fine details required for serious dancers.

San Rafael and Marin County premiere dance schools have been working closely with The Dance Shop for decades, from dress code requirements to pointe shoe initiation. Fitting pointe shoes is a complicated matter, it depends on varying factors such as arch, foot size, the dancer’s age and so on.

During these times when so many things are factory mass produced, this business reminds people of local artisans and skilled professionals. This local business is a special one so be sure to stop by and buy those tango shoes you’ve wanted ever since “Dancing with the Stars” became a wild phenom!