Shoe boutique specializing in transgender, stripper footwear opens in Ypsilanti's Depot Town
By TOM PERKINS, AnnArbor.com Freelance Journalist
Posted on Fri, Mar 15, 2013 : 2:59 p.m.http://annarbor.com/business-review/womens-shoe-store-specializing-in-transgender-stripper-footwear-opens-in-ypsilanti/
Paula Filek opened Screamin' Hot Shoes in Ypsilanti's Depot Town. (PHOTO: Tom Perkins for AnnArbor.com)Every time transgender punk rock singer Jenna Talia hits the stage in high heels, she encounters the same problem. The former Notre Dame football team defensive end and wide receiver stomps and flails like Iggy Pop's more-spastic sister, and her big frame puts big time pressure on her heels, which inevitably snap during the performance.
But a new boutique in Ypsilanti's Depot Town, Screamin' Hot Shoes, is hoping to remedy that problem. The shop, at 22 E. Cross St., is focusing on women's shoes, and specializing in transgender and stripper footwear. It's owned by Ypsilanti businesswoman Paula Filek, who also operates Paula's Barber Shop several doors east on Cross Street.
Jenna was part of the inspiration for Filek taking her store this direction and Jenna now has a local source for six-inch heels that won't bust every time she sashays across the stage when her Detroit-based band Glitter Trash performs.
"She has a really hard time finding shoes because she jumps off the stage like a crazy person and breaks them, so I have shoes that are big enough and won't break," Filek said.
Talia has yet to stop into the brick and mortar shop, but purchases shoes from Screamin' Hot's online store.
"She carries larger sizes and has better made, good looking shoes; not junk," Talia said. "I feel pain for females who have larger feet because all the shoes in larger sizes are ugly. People who have odd sizes or big sizes have a hard time finding good shoes, but Paula's stuff is good looking."
"They will travel when they find out there are stores where they can feel comfortable and people treat them respectfully. It's really hard to find venues like this where you can feel comfortable walking in."
