The street leading to the Mahalakshmi Temple is the place to buy Kolhapuri chappals — the hand-stitched leather sandals that have been made in this city for centuries. The workshops and shops along this road (and in the surrounding lanes) produce the genuine article: thick vegetable-tanned leather, hand-punched geometric patterns, and a construction method that produces sandals lasting years with proper care.
Prices depend on quality and the thickness of the leather. Expect to haggle but not aggressively — the craft is real and the margins aren't vast. Avoid any stall that tries to sell you synthetic or machine-made "Kolhapuri" sandals. The craftsmen here are often happy to let you watch the work, and many can make to measure if you have a day to spare.