text: ALL the Stride Rite stores are closing or already closed by me. I got both of my boys sized at one, but they were already wiped out of all shoes in the size my younger son needed, since they were closing at the time. As we didn't have any shoes for him to try on, the woman who worked there told me he was either a WIDE or EXTRA WIDE... So I took to the internet. First, I ordered a pair of shoes on Stride Rites website, which was fine because my older son wanted a specific pair that wasn't at the local store, so I got free shipping. When we received the first pair, they weren't wide enough, so I had to return them. Stride Rite deducted the cost of shipping from the return, and I didn't want to pay for shipping again (especially if the shoes might not even fit!) so that's where Amazon comes in. I have Amazon Prime, so free shipping!! Luckily, the first pair fit, and we are happy as can be. My son is so excited to have a pair of shoes that actually fits, too. Now if only ANY local stores carried extra-wide in his size... Good thing I have Amazon to fall back on.