Kay Clay International

All the staff are very experienced in dance and dance gear. They can be trusted for advice on what to get and not to get for a dance student, that’s important when the student is a beginner. I am an adult lifelong dance student and have been going to their Naperville store for dance supplies when I need replacement for worn items. Their inventory in adult sizes is limited although they have the good brands. Last year they closed the Naperville store and now operate only from the Westmont store. A loss for dance students in the Naperville area.

I love Kay Clay. My daughter is 8 and has been dancing in one form or another since she was 3. With the exception of the very first time, we have gone to Kay Clay for her shoes every time. They are awesome with her — explaining what should and shouldn’t be tight, and explaining that the shoes need to be broken in a bit sometimes. Because she definitely doesn’t listen to me when I say that :) Other reviewers are right — it is a small store and won’t have an enormous staff, but the girls are efficient and move through things quickly, while still ensuring that each customer has perfectly fit shoes.
If you need leotards, tights, or booty shorts, they are great helping find the right fit and recommending styles that we might like. My daughter likes the flash of the other dance store in town, but I love Kay Clay for the decent prices and helpful and friendly staff that don’t even glare at my 4 year old son who is making it clear that he does NOT want to be in a dance store.

My 12-​year-​old daughter, fully-​grown, I hope, enrolled in a tap class at the School of Performing Arts in Naperville. I asked the school for a recommendation for tap shoes and gear, and this was the place. I concur.
The place is tiny, so allow a little extra time. The staff really know what they’re doing — they know which shoes should fit snugly and should stretch, and all the important factors when dropping a small fortune on entry-​level dance shoes. My daughter’s feet are a little tricky to fit properly in non-​specialty shoes, so I was especially satisfied when the shoes worked well after a few classes. I’m not above binding feet to make sure they last.
I was bothered by a grumpy customer who couldn’t understand why there weren’t more staff on hand. There were two girls working who were efficient, and I don’t now how many people a little business can afford to employ. I would imagine they have their extended slow periods.