Narrow 6-foot-wide shops New York
Shoe repair, smokes
Elia, my shoe repair man, has a 6’ wide store front on 72nd Street and the machines in it date from 1900. They look like small locomotives. The longer I look, the more interesting they become.
If you figure the operating costs per anything---day, year, or pair of shoes---those machines have to be really efficient.
Some of these locomotive-like machines have leather drive belts, shiny control handles, thick deposits of leather and fibre dust, beautifully inscribed or decalled brand names... they’re beautiful.
I’ve walked into many shops for a peek and sometimes, if he's willing to engage, the shopkeeper will tell me how he acquired them, where they came from, where he came from. Every story is an authentic New York story of immigration---bravery, dedication and tolerance, plus never-ending work.
I’ve never met a female shoe repair person in one of these shops, not in New York.
The stores are usually wedged between two huge buildings, whenever there is a narrow space separating them. And, New York is the only city I know that has so many. I guess there are enough New Yorkers who buy good quality, repairable shoes desiring to maintain rather than discard and buy new, to keep these guys busy.
Once you’ve noticed one or two, you will realize how many there are---because they are so narrow, they are easily overlooked. Pop your head into one and take a look!
Some are being 'gentrified', becoming cell phone repair shops.
About this spot
126 W 72nd St
- Variable
N/A:
US$
no-price
Find your way with 301 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in New York
Elevated Acre
Quiet, hidden elevated park in FiDi
"The Elevated Acre" is in the middle of the Financial District in NYC, but you would never see it when passing by - this park is hidden above street level!
by
Christian
Neely
John's Pizza / Times Square
Pizza Tabernacle
John's Pizza is situated inside a former tabernacle with a domed stain glass ceiling about 50 feet above, and ‘sliced’ into 8 sections, just like a pizza.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
'Fearless Girl'
Wall Street History
On Broad Street stands a bronze sculpture named Fearless Girl which exudes bravery, pride and strength but not, according to the artist, 'defiance'...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
The Hungry and Healthy Marketplace
Comedy / Deli
The space functions day to day as a bright and modern-looking upscale deli and on certain evenings, it doubles as a performance space for stand-up comics.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Manhattan Community Boathouse
Free kayaking
It’s all free, on a first-come, first-served basis. You'll get a life jacket, a paddle, a 'kayak', and a locker, for a session of approximately 20 minutes.
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
The Cage in West Village
Hoops & handball
The Cage in West Village is a chain link fenced, bagel-sized basketball court in New York. Here you can also find handball, a citywide spectacle...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
The Seasoned Vegan
Food you love, veganized
"The Seasoned Vegan" in New York is crowded (in a good way), energizing and really fun. I got the Harlem Chopped Cheeseburger, and I'd order it again...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
TAP - NYC
Brazilian tapioca's 'home base'
"TAP - NYC" makes Brazilian tapioca from yuca! I really love their Pão de Queijo, tangerine-sized, feather-weight bread-puffs with molten cheese...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Bethesda Terrace
Central Park
"Bethesda Terrace" in New York's Central Park is home to Bethesda Fountains, sculptural balustrades and breathtaking magical depictions of wild animals...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Bodegas
NYC convenience stores
"Bodegas" are NYC convenience stores that are as much an essential part of urban culture as are chippies in Whitley Bay or curry shops in London, England...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Johannes Vermeer
At the Met & Frick
You can see eight of the thirty-six paintings by "Johannes Vermeer" in New York City. There's a ninth one, but it's behind closed doors...
by
Geoffrey
Dunbar
Heading to New York?
301 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
Heading to New York?
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 301 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Art & culture
Our team loves New York
Get to know our other Spotters from New York
As featured on:
