It doesn’t take long to become a fixture on the Upper West Side – 15 years in fact. Metropolitan Window Fashions has served over 8,000 customers from their beautiful showroom at 469 Amsterdam Avenue, between 82nd-83 streets. Metropolitan offers a FREE in-home decorating service for custom draperies, motorized shades, upholstery and Hunter Douglas window fashions.
Bruce Heyman, 3rd Generation Owner, remembers how hard it was to find retail space on the UWS in 2004. “We had two stores in New Jersey and were looking to expand. You would see available space on a Monday and on Tuesday it would be gone.” Luckily, one of his employees knew the owner of Bath Island. Metropolitan took over that space after being introduced to the landlord, George Beane. “George is a good guy and we have been here ever since.”
Asked about changes on the UWS in the past 15 years, Heyman stated the obvious. “More empty storefronts, more scaffolding, more chain stores and fewer independents. Retail turnover is a fact of life. We have been here 15 years and are the third-longest-running tenant on the block.”
Heyman continued to discuss the relationships he has built here. “There is a real neighborhood feel to the block. We have gotten to know the owners of all the local restaurants. Dave at Fred’s catered our grand opening 15 years ago and ran the food across the street! Earl at the Hi-Life shut his restaurant down for our Holiday Party ten years ago. Having a private party at your own UWS restaurant is about the coolest thing you can do!” He also mentioned new neighbors, Bar Veloce (a customer) and Mokum (his favorite lunch spot.)
Getting back to business, Heyman said he is happy with his UWS store. “We have great customers who come back year after year. It is a great neighborhood with the nicest people. We look forward to another 15 years at this location.” Call Metropolitan at 212-501-8282 for a FREE consultation or visit their shop, open Monday-Saturday. On the web at windowfashions.com.