The 14th Street Shoe Repair Shop, 428 E. 14th St. between Avenue A and First Avenue, has closed.
An EVG reader said that Saturday was the last day for business. We were told that the cobbler could not remain open following a rent increase.
A vendor named Ba had also been selling items such as socks, gloves and phone chargers in front the past three years. (He was at the East Side 99¢ space before this.) EVG reader Michael Paul believes that Ba may move to another storefront on the block.
Previously on EV Grieve:
The shoe repair post that you've been waiting for
Sad really sad. Massive construction projects in area. Ironically CB3 initiating small business district.
ReplyDeleteThey closed and took all of jerry's sneakers.
ReplyDeleteAnother useful establishment forced out to add yet another empty storefront to the already blighted east end of the block, or so the landlord can put in something useless to 95% of the EV. Wonderful.
ReplyDeleteL(sp) was my shoe and watch band guy for a few years, he could fix a heel in a minute as an emergency or would return my oxfords looking brand new. This is a shame, as everyone will rightly loathe, neighborhood service and food providers are being forced out. Even the last wave of "cool" bars are being rent hiked out. Alas the landlords will claim their property taxes and insurance bills are hiking. Help us elected officials.
ReplyDeleteShoe repair is an honorable trade; too bad landlords think shoe repair shops can pay Starbucks-level rents. And where are we supposed to get our shoes repaired now?
ReplyDeleteThats the whole point, your not supposed to get your shoes repaired, your supposed to buy new ones. Either overpriced, sweatshop made, or maybe those cheap molded plastic jobs made in china, that they give to prisoners.
DeleteIsn't it tuesday? Time to go stand in line for my soylent wafer!
Steve's Express Shoe Repair on 14th between 1st & 2nd (by The Halal Guys) is a good option.
ReplyDeleteFor shoe repairs and shoe shines, I go to the store on Irving Place between 15th and 16th Streets. Old fashioned in feel and in price.
ReplyDeleteI'm not happy to see this shop close, but I lived a stone's throw from it and never repaired my shoes there after I got yelled at for asking if they could replace a pyramid stud that had come off a pair of cage sandals (vintage Stephane Keilan found at the Mary Help of Christians flea market, tyvm). I let them repair them anyway (with their own flat stud), but never really understood why asking to use the original one that had fallen out was such and anger-making proposition. Then I found the lovely Steve Express and my shoes and I were happy for many years. Still, sorry for your loss, this place.
ReplyDeleteI feel like shoe repair will always be with us, but it's an only-the-strongest survive game at this point. That one on Irving, John's, is an institution. For boots (especially cowboy boots), go to Cesar on 7th at 21st. For men's in particular, there is George in the 53rd and Lex subway station. And every shoemaking student in town knows the shoe genius Hector on Greenwich Ave right off 6th Ave.
The guy who did the repairs was a grumpy old dick but he did good work and his prices were very reasonable and his work was excellent!!! Now I have to go to midtown to find a decent cobbler!!! Good thing a Target is coming in though! (sarcasm)!!!
ReplyDeleteUgh. Hate what this neighborhood has become. Anybody know why Tasty King has been closed?
ReplyDeleteAlex on east 21 Just off first is great
ReplyDelete@anonymous 8:02... surprised it managed 14th construction for so long. tasty was my joint for years. Stopped going when it was surrounded by construction, fearing my dirty Chinese spot is in even a dirtier condition with debris and such.
ReplyDeleteTasty needs a new home !!!
This is a real loss. Any shoe or boot I've had for more than 3 years has been touched by these guys. They weren't particularly pleasant or nice, but the did great work at a reasonable rate. I also go to another guy in the west village who charges a lot more.
ReplyDeleteCan we talk about how all of the trees were cut down last week on that lower stretch of 14th before A as well? It clearly has to do with the construction because these were healthy, viable trees posing no danger. I believe 3 were cut to the ground, possibly 4. You can see the stumps in the middle of the metal tree grilles on the southside sidewalk. It's very upsetting
ReplyDelete