Our Story

An Upper West Side Tradition

Harrys has been part of the fabric of New York City for 90 years and 3 generations. We carry forward those old fashioned values of customer service in a modern, comfortable space with an unparalleled selection of shoes for men, women and children.

Throughout Harry’s history, we have always been focused on making sure that our customer is well cared for and properly fit.   Our expertise continues to be the ability of our staff to find the shoe that works best for our customers’ feet and adjust it as needed for maximum comfort.

Our History

Our History

1931

Our grandfather, Harry, opened the first Harry’s Shoes on 116th and Fifth Avenue in 1931. It was during the Great Depression and he was out of work.  Harry felt that everyone needed shoes even in a depression and he opened a shoe store for men, women and children.

1940's-60's

Our father, Joe, started working in the store when he was about 11 and joined his father full time after he graduated from college in the late 1940’s.  Harry opened a second store in the South Bronx around that time.  Joe ran the South Bronx location and Harry ran the Harlem location with his wife, Anna, until it closed in the 1960’s.

1975

Harry died in 1970.  In 1975, Joe opened a second store for men and women at the current location on 83rd and Broadway in Manhattan and called it Harry’s Florsheim Shoes in honor of his father. The South Bronx location was closed a few years later.

Since then there have been many changes. Joe’s son, Robert, joined the business full time.  Years later Joe’s daughter, Randi, joined in operations.  There have been some renovations along the way and the children’s department got its own space up the block.

2012

In September, 2012 we did a major renovation which doubled the size of the selling space at the store. Joe died in 2012, months before the opening of the expanded space.  Although he wasn’t there to see the finished product, he was part of the planning and the vision. Robert and Randi have been running the business together since Joe’s passing.  He is with us everyday and his wisdom and values guide us.  

Thanks so much for your support!

Robert and Randi

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