SYCAMORE – Kathy Jones loves the downtown Sycamore shopping scene. Even though she has opened a store outside of it, she still encourages people to go downtown.

“I believe the downtown Sycamore is one of the nicest I’ve ever been in,” Jones said. “But I’m watching the downtown really struggle, mostly because the strip malls make it convenient for one-stop shopping. People ... need to support the downtown.”

Jones’ new shoe store, a Red Wing dealership, recently opened at 2692 DeKalb Ave., next to Hy-Vee. She described Red Wing as being an extension of her other shoe store, Stomp Shoes, located in downtown Sycamore at 307 W. State St.