Amano

There are interesting items in the store. Some clothing is pricy but the items are unique. Make sure you only park in the back of the store while you are shopping. Management is fussy about moving non-​customers out of their parking spaces.

After much searching to find a purveyor of hippie-​esque clothing in MoCo, I finally discovered Amano. This shop is very small but packed to the brim with goods, most of which are imported fair trade. My favorite label that they carry is Windhorse. They also have a large selection of jewelry and shoes. Be prepared to drop a good chunk of change here — I bought three tops and a skirt and was out $ 150 before I even realized it. That being said, I don’t regret my purchase at all. It is so hard to find clothes in this style when you’re curvaceous and each piece is amazingly unique. The staff is also very friendly and helpful. You can try on things at your leisure and they don’t pressure you to buy anything. I will definitely be back and am eager to tell all of my friends about this gem.

I have mixed feelings after my inaugural visit to Amano. The welcome I received when I walked in the door was not particularly warm, but the same individuals (the owners?) seemed to be helpful to other customers. When one customer was paying for her purchase, she mentioned it was her birthday and the guy behind the register offered her a little extra (I think it was a bar of some kind of fancy soap), which was nice. The space is crowded, so it can be difficult to get a good look at all of their many wares. Most of the clothing is too hippie-​ish for me, and with being very tall, clothes shopping is very difficult for me as is. The one cardigan/​wrap I tried on was cute and reasonably priced, but — alas — the sleeves were too short.

Hippieish clothing shop. Way crowded with stock. A bit too crowded. Lots of comfortable but stylish shoes. Staff was not overly friendly. Prices not cheap. The hippies who shop here have gold cards.

This shop carries some really great lines of clothes and shoes and jewelry… the down side is the staff. They are only marginally friendly and offer absolutely no help at all. We actually felt like we were intruding on their ‘chat time’. I spent over $ 300 but would have probably spent 3 times that had the staff offered to help or advise me in any way. I work in retail and know that merchandise seldom sells itself. A good employee is like a baseball player. She learns to manufacture sales just as a batter learns how to manufacture runs. Had it been my shop, these ladies would not have lasted 2 days before I replaced them with people who actually love the product and love their customers. I will go back… for the lines… not for the service… as there is none. If you don’t mind being ignored and just helping yourself, you will enjoy the experience.

I have really mixed feelings about Amano. I’ve gotten 3 or 4 pairs of shoes there that I really like. I enjoy supporting a local business. They have gorgeous socks and tights, fun and funky accessories.
But…today I had a really frustrating and unpleasant experience shopping there. I went there with my very queerly presenting partner — who was looking for sneakers. My partner asked whether a pair of shoes was available in size 10.5 and was rebuffed with, «We don’t sell men’s shoes.» My partner clarified, that we were looking for women’s size 10.5 and was again told, «We don’t sell any men’s shoes.» After asking, «Am I not allowed to buy them because they’re ‘for women’»?, the sales associate finally went looking for the shoes. There was no apology offerred, or any further assistance offerred by the sale associate, and she remained rather frosty with me when I checked out.
Particularly bizarre about this: Amano *does* sell men’s shoes, not a large selection, but they do sell them.
I love the boots I bought, but I feel kind of guilty about purchasing them from a business that was so unfriendly to my partner — apparently due to liking insufficiently «manly» footwear.

Really like this place for shoes. Although the selection isn’t huge, they only carry quality brands at fair prices (cheaper than offerings online). Every shoe I’ve bought here has been comfortable, stylish, and long-​lasting. This is no payless, expect to pay upwards of $ 150 for a full boot, $ 100 for half boot, $ 70 for shoes, less when they’re on sale (I got sneakers for $ 35). However, I’ve come to realize that in the long run you’re better off paying a bit more for quality shoes than buying crap you have to replace yearly.

Excellent indie boutique. For a small store, it has an impressive selection of clothes and «comfort» shoes for women. They also sell jewelry, watches, scarves, fabulous fun socks, handbags and totes, and a bit of lingerie. Things I’ve purchased there over the past couple years: two Coobie bras (one size fits most); Born clogs they special-​ordered for me; a Baggalini purse; a linen blouse from Flax; and several pairs of solid-​color E.G. Smith cotton tights (I love tights, and Amano is my local source). Much of their stock is natural fibers (cotton, linen, rayon) but they also have some really fun, inexpensive polyester dresses and blouses with colorful prints and things of the tight-​black-​for-​going-​out variety. The same staff are often in the store, which I take as a good sign; the employee turnover isn’t high, and the folks there are knowledgeable and helpful (not sulky teens). Amano bonus: it’s located a few storefronts away from Mark’s Kitchen! I always visit both establishments when I stop in Takoma Park.

A precious jewel, tucked away in the heart of Takoma Park.
I went into here looking for a gift for my mom. Knowing that I have horrible taste I asked for some assistance. I wanted to buy jewelry and and they helped me select the perfect piece. All I had to do was point out clothing on display which matched my moms style. They recommended a pair of earrings which were very well received.
I will certainly come back here for some great gift ideas.

Amano — my feet thank you!
Other reviewers have covered the jewelry and some accessories, so I’m going to tell you about the shoes. My sweetie was up the street a few doors at Salon Jam, so I went wandering into the local shops. The sign advertises comfort shoes, but it should also note that their comfort shoes are cute, too! Traditional to colorful, they have a lovely collection of the best brands in comfortable footwear. This is extremely important for those of us who take public transit — we can’t be toddling around the city in poorly fitted or cheaply made shoes.
I entered and gave them my usual size (9.5 wide width shoe) and a bit about what I was seeking and then was treated to some of the best customer service ever. They brought every single pair of shoes that fit my criteria right to me! Mind you, I asked for the help. Other shoppers who wanted to go solo were respected and left to themselves. I was particularly thrilled when they steered me toward the sale cute sale shoes! Typically I order my shoes online in order to save a few bucks, but the customer service is 100% worth it, and the prices are still excellent.

I was pleasantly surprised with Amano. Given its location, I expected everything to be over $ 100. While it has plenty of more expensive items, you can also find something fun in a more reasonable price range. My favorite was the case of jewelry by local artisans off to the left of the register. The prices are extremely reasonable (many in the $ 30 – 40 range) and the pieces are unlike anything you’ll find in the costume jewelry at Macy’s for the same price. There were also lots of other bits and bobs to draw your eye; I particularly liked the felted wool change purses.

It was wicked cold out on Sunday, and we were out and about with the baby in Takoma Park. Of course, we forgot any of his many hats at home. What to do? We spotted Amano and went inside to inspect the head wear options.
Right away, hubby found an infant-​sized mitten and fleece hat set. 10 bucks– sold. I poked around and I found some cloth briefcases and bags, pashmina shawls, and fuzzy sweaters and clogs.
The jewelry near the register is so pretty and there are a bunch of unique pieces. Sterling silver earrings, beaded bracelets and bangles. Sparkly, shiny!