By Gus Saltonstall
In recent days, work has ramped up at the temporarily closed Harry’s Shoes on the Upper West Side.
The beloved Upper West Side business at 2299 Broadway, near the corner of West 83rd Street, has been shuttered since March, after the store was sold to new ownership.
At the time of closure, the store, which will still be called Harry’s Shoes, said it planned to reopen by the end of this summer as it undergoes renovations and staff training. Up until this point, there had been very little in the way of developments at the business, but over the past week, there are signs that Harry’s Shoes is on its way back to life.
On Tuesday morning, there were multiple construction workers setting up equipment both inside and outside the store, along with a man who identified himself as a brand manager putting up posters in the windows. Along with the posters, shoes have also reappeared in the windows.
Additionally, the lights within the Harry’s Shoes sign on the front facade of the storefront have been turned back on.
The brand manager did not know the timeline for the reopening, and Harry’s Shoes, which is now owned by Sole Provisions, did not immediately respond to an email.
When the Rag visited on Tuesday morning, multiple people passing the store stopped momentarily to take a look at the developments, including a man named Arthur.
“I just question the timing on this reopening, but there seems to be work in progress,” Arthur, who did not give his last name, said. “When and under what circumstances will they reopen, especially under new management?”
The Rag will update this story when we learn more.
Read More:
- Harry’s Shoes, Famous UWS Business, Closed Until Summer
- Here’s What’s Going on With Harry’s Shoes on the Upper West Side
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I guess it’s still summer. I saw lights on the store name yesterday. A rival shoe store owner where I’ve been shopping recently, told me they were not coming back. That was probably wishful thinking.
“Beloved”? That would be a stretch. “Long standing” would be more accurate. I can’t count the number of times I went in there to find shoes or socks while being completely ignored by the staff. It is no surprise they had to sell to new ownership. I was never impressed by the old business. Local / independent does not always equal good.
The shoe stores on 72nd offer much better service. Of course, I am pleased that Harry’s is coming back. I want these local stores to thrive. I just hope the service is better in this new incarnation.
Harry’s staff were downright nasty the few times I ventured in over the years. Tip Top’s staff are so much kinder.
Also their return policy. Two weeks for store credit only.
Their shoes are overpriced!
The return policy was awful.
Preferred DSW.
I first moved to the Upper West Side in 1967 when I was 10 years old and Harry’s was the place my mother took me to get shoes. I continued to use them for years. Today, although I’ve not purchased shoes there in decades, having a “long standing” neighborhood store can provide stability to a neighborhood.
Harry’s Shoes is a wonderful store! The manager who sold me a pair of nice-looking oxfords I bought for lunch dates said they were the last “fit” store. Department stores don’t have wide sizes and Harry’s did; they had a large selection of stylish shoes and boots in many sizes. You can’t wear sneakers all the time. Sometimes women in conversation will take a quick look at your shoes. Has that happened to you? Why do they do that? I don’t don’t do that. Harry’s was one of the best stores in NYC. I’m glad they’re coming back.
You can get wide sizes everywhere. Including Amazon.
Not true at all.
YAY!!
Hope they open soon and with more staff.
interesting that they’re being taken over by Sole Provisions, which started out as a small family store that carried wide widths and orthopedic shoes. That company has an interesting backstory. I hope this means Harry’s will be offer more wide width shoes – they’ve seriously cut down their inventory over the years and instead offer regular European shows with medium and narrow widths only.
I once bought a pair of sneakers. Wore them around the house a few times & they weren’t comfortable. I returned them, but I was accidentally 1 day past their return window. They refused to refund me until I spoke to several people. They all gave me a hard time. I never went back again. Was happy to see the “beloved” shoe store close down. Maybe new store will have better customer service.
Some of the most beloved UWS local businesses take their reputation for granted!