Capitol Hill’s allure as a boutique shopping destination was ratcheted up a notch on May 2 with the debut of Likelihood (1101 E Union St.; 206.226.0826; shoplikelihood.com), a fashion-driven men’s shoe and accessories shop located in the newly opened Viva building. Owned by first-time retailers Aaron DelGuzzo and Dan Carlson, the modern shop is smartly appointed with a tightly edited selection of inventory for everyman, from the snazziest to the most casual dresser. “Footwear is an exclamation point to any outfit,” says Carlson, who, along with partner DelGuzzo, professes a lifetime love of shoes.

Expect a higher ratio of fashion styles to sport styles in the $100–$400 range, from lines such as Spalwart, Grenson and Yuketen. The name Likelihood comes from a core belief that “something good is about to happen,” so lacing up prepares you for anything in life when you’re wearing great shoes—something women have understood for generations.