Saved: Murray Hill shoe store escapes the boot
Photo credit: Urbanite |
When we first told you there was a chance that Lord John’s Bootery in Murray Hill might survive its rent negotiations, our hopes were dim.
After all, it’s not often that the integrity of a mom and pop shop triumphs over big bucks in this city.
Thankfully, the Murray Hill shoe store has bucked the trend.
After customer outcry and a merciful rent decision by the building’s landlord, the veteran shop will be staying put.
“When we put up the closing sign, a lot of nice people came in and said, ‘What can we do?’” store owner John Kyriannis said.
Kyriannis, whose father opened the store, said he made a personal appeal to the landlord.
“Essentially, they liked us and they decided to give us a concession on the rent and help us out, even with this struggling economy,” he said.
And the customers are thrilled.
“They’re happy that we’re moving forward,” Kyriannis said. “Hopefully we’ll be here for another 55 years.
— Megan Stride
Urbanite on Lord John's Bootery
Tags: murray hill , lord john's bootery , small business , manhattan , shopping , neighborhoods
