For the men, "I buy Stacy Adams directly from the company. They last."
Elaborate dresses with beadwork, lace and embroidery are from the Monte Collection, Vivienne Claire and Justin Taylor.

A salesman of about 35 years brings them by. "I never get the same thing twice," Hart said. "He delivers, so I can sell cheaper, and I don't have to order and pay shipping.

" "I didn't know what I was going to get into," Hart said. "I worked at Vineyard's as a florist for four or five years and loved it." She also was in the fabric business for a while, which involved market trips to Atlanta with Max Hart, her husband of almost 41 years, whom she described as easygoing and caring.

"One time there was a problem with (their rental truck). It would only go 25 mph. It took a day and all night to get back.

" That prompted the purchase of a van. Armed with those artistic and tactile skills, and having "always sewed," Hart eventually broke into shoe biz. "I design some of the hats," she said, pointing out several styles throughout the shop.

Her retail experience includes managing the Southgate shopping center in South Jackson until the 1999 tornado. Several businesses were wiped out, and many didn't re-establish. When her banker husband heard about Jerry's Shoes closing, he pitched the idea to Faye.

"It's a big investment to go into business," she said. "It's tough to get established." Shoe Palace has a loyal following.

"I like to give personal service," she said. "I greet customers and know what they like." And the Harts have a wide network of friends.

"We go to all the UT games with two other couples," she said, and they are in the stands for Union University basketball games. They have been members of Meridian Baptist Church for about 34 years. They have two adult children, who help in the shop when they can, and one young grandson.

"I had one worker who was 83. She worked circles around the 20-year-olds," said Hart, who would welcome another hire as good as the woman who left last year because of family needs. Faye Hart's shopping philosophy could be summed up with: "Try it on.

You're not going to know how it looks.