LOCAL TRIUMPH: Longtime Indie Retailer Harry's Shoes Expands Threefold On The West Side

The all too common retail story in New York these days is that of the long standing, independent, local store being squeezed out by the behemoth national chain that undercuts its prices and outspends it in rent (See the past decade on Bleecker Street for a concrete example). On Broadway in the West 80s, however, that story is getting a much appreciated reversal as Harry's Shoes, a neighborhood fixture for 37 years since 1931, is set to triple its size by taking the space next door to be vacated by beleaguered chain Talbots.

Harry's a triumph of the humble and prosaic over the slick and flashy. Though the store carries some recently resurgent brands like Sperry Top-Sider, Allen Edmonds, Wolverine and Red Wing, they have been selling them since long before trendier folk rediscovered their charms. Sturdy and serviceable have never been bad words at the busy store full of popular but not especially stylish brands like Merrell, Ecco, Dansko, Teva and Birkenstock. It will never have the folks at Jeffrey or Leffot looking over their shoulders, but in its own, peculiar way, the store on the corner of Broadway and 83rd Street along with a children's annex halfway up the next block, is able to serve nearly all of the diverse demographics of the Upper West Side in some way or other, and it's always crowded on any given weekend. It's not even the only store of its kind. It has competed with the similarly merchandised Tip Top Shoes has thrived on West 72nd Street for almost twice as long for over 70 years. The super-sized version of Harry's Shoes is expected to be completed by Labor Day.
This post has been updated to show some corrections to the ages of the businesses mentioned.

Neighborhood Staple Harry's Shoes To Triple In Size (West Side Rag)