There are only a handful of Upper West Side businesses that have been around for more than three or four decades. Town Shop, the bra and clothing store on Broadway between 81st and 82nd, is one of them. It was founded in 1888 by Sam Koch and has been on Broadway since 1936.
Peter Koch, who was the third generation in his family to lead the store, died earlier this month. Peter’s son Danny is now in charge. As one commenter on Facebook put it: Peter was “a true mensch.”
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OMG!!!!! So sad!!!! I knew Peter when I worked at Teacher’s Too Restaurant!!!! I loved him! RIP 🙁 xoxo
Acker Merrall & Condit was founded in 1820. It is America’s oldest wine & liquor store. It was located at 86/87 & Broadway and moved to 160 West 723nd Street about 18 years ago. Still owned by the Kapon family. My dad R.William, followed by my brother Michael and now my nephew John Kapon.
I am the educator Journalist in the family.
Re: “…160 West 723nd Street”
WOW! That must be on the UUWS (Uber-Upper-West-Side).
How’s the weather way up north?
160 W 72nd
Shameful that the Kapon family cannot express condolences for the loss of a dear fellow Broadway businessman – instead they have used this space for an obnoxious advertisement. You’ve lost my business and hopefully others in the neighborhood will follow suit based upon your blatant insensitivity.
Linda, what is wrong with you? Guy is simply talking about another business. I will now be frequenting it a lot instead of Beacon Wines.
And I drink a lot!
I have nothing to do with Acker Merrall & Condit. As mentioned it has been in our family for many generations.Just as The Town Shop. I stopped by the Town Shop to express my regrets. I was simply answering the people who rue the passing of local businesses by showing that there are still small businesses that exist on the UWS.
I am sorry Linda thought it was a plug for my nephews business. I apologize if she was offended.
When I tell people about TS, I mention how I would get phone calls from Peter when I would special order something. I would pick up the phone and on the other end was this really husky, tough voice that would say, “This is the Town Shop – I got your Warner 2648 34D in camellia in. Drop by the store and you can pick it up.”
Also loved peeking behind the counter when they were at the store on the West side of Bway to see his laptop on watching either the horse races….constantly.
He’ll be missed.
What a lovely man he was. My condolences to the family.
I hope the next generation is able to carry on his legacy. Before I had read this announcement, I noticed that it just felt “different” there these past couple months. Maybe it’s because he wasn’t behind the counter with his gregarious smile.
BDE.
Sorry to learn of Peter’s passing, even though I never bought a bra from him. Also sad to have learned of the passing of Peggy and of our neighbors David and Phyllis K.
But glad to see the Town Shop in their spanking new quarters across the street on Broadway & 81st-82nd Streets. UWS lives on!
My condolences to the Koches……
We used to get all our Liquor there (Acker Merrill etc)
when it was on 86th st. I read an ad for Acker that showed your family moved from the Wall St area originally. Perhaps as in an 1866 ad for the financial district store, you should purvey butter from upstate NY farms and cigars (spelled ‘segar’ in the 1866 ad- along with ‘Goshen’ butter))
This is so sad. The Town Shop is a wondrous place out of a movie and there is none other like it. In the fifties my mother was a foundations buyer at Marshall Fields. She felt the Town Shop was the only store where one could be properly fitted for foundations to suit any occasion.
He was such a lovely man! Condolences to the whole Koch family. The Town Shop’s fortunate customers will not be missing a beat, as Danny has been doing a wonderful job for years now. I never plan to buy a bra anywhere else.
We have lived in Peter’s building on the upper west side for many years and were fortunate to have him as our neighbor. He always was a pleasure to run into and was loved by all. He will be missed.