Mariel the shoe bar opened its doors to the public in August 2006. The sole of West Hartford Center is located at the intersection of LaSalle Road and Farmington Avenue. The intimate 800 square foot boutique is uniquely distinguished by the 10 foot bar. Architectural designer Deverell “RSun” Smith of Cohesion Design Studio, along with Hartford native Mariel Peck "raises the bar" for retail in West Hartford Center.

Mariel the shoe bar has a unique and vast selection ranging from $35 -$500…everything from evening to athletic and appeals to a cross generational group - the daughter, the mother and the grandmother. Mariel and her associates focus on client attention. They listen to the suggestions of new designers to carry and they go out of their way to give their clients a fashion forward selection, most of which can not be found anywhere else in Connecticut.

ABOUT MARIEL
Hartford native, Mariel Peck, always possessed a passion for people and fashion. "Shoes and handbags have always been a weakness of mine. No matter how much weight I gained or lost in my life, they always fit…and were a staple of my personality."

After living in Italy for a year, Mariel returned with an international perspective on the fashion world. Mariel worked at a women's boutique in West Hartford Center for almost two years. Within that time, two shoe stores went out of business and Mariel saw what women wanted and what West Hartford Center needed.

Mariel decided to learn about the shoe business from Foot Prints, a family owned shoe store that specializes in fit. It paid off learning how to measure the foot in length and width, the importance of insoles, heel grippers, foam taps and sure foot anti skid relief pads.

Mariel and sales partners create a warm shopping experience, something that West Hartford Center has been lacking. People walk in as potential clients and leave as friends.