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Lost Gem
Jim's Shoe Repair 1 Restoration and Repairs Midtown East Midtown

Jim's Shoe Repair

Stepping inside Jim's Shoe Repair is like walking into a time capsule. At first glance, it appears that nothing has changed since the store opened in 1932. Wooden saloon-style booths line the wall opposite shoeshine chairs equipped with golden footrests and leather backrests, while the original cash register still stands proudly in the front of the shop. Jim's is the place for the customer who wants "the best shoe shine" with a bit of small talk or a glance through the daily newspapers. It is simple and unpretentious, which explains its long history of celebrity customers.Vito Rocco came to New York by way of Italy in the 1920s and opened up his shop in 1932, across the street from where it stands today. He called it Jim’s as an ode to America — short, simple, and recognizable. His son, Joseph, began working in the shop in 1940 and did not retire until 2019. “At age ninety, he still wants to come in, but I won’t let him anymore,” his son, Joe, said lovingly. He and his son, Andrew, are now “honored” to be continuing this family business.Although Jim's has largely stayed the same since its inception, Joe noted that they no longer clean hats, as this was deemed a fire hazard in the 1940s. Joe emphasized, however, that their shoe repair is performed the traditional way, with most of it being done by hand. There are no nailing guns used and machine work is kept to a minimum — only for stitching and sanding.Walking through the back is like being granted a tour of Santa’s workshop. Joe strolls through the various departments of the repair services, patting his employees on the back and exchanging laughs along the way. There are rickety ladders to go up and down where one finds every nook and cranny converted into a cozy but busy workspace. “Even if we wanted to change up the place, our customers would never allow us. They appreciate it the way it is after four generations.”

Lost Gem
David Segal Violins Ltd. 1 Restoration and Repairs Upper West Side Lincoln Square Midtown West

David Segal Violins Ltd.

As our readers know, we love the term "hidden gem" at Manhattan Sideways, but it is rare that we find a place that fits the term as well as David Segal Violins. Some members of the Manhattan Sideways team and I were walking along 68th Street when one of the summer interns pointed out that a musician was playing a violin behind a semi-subterranean window. Glancing further, we noticed a man crafting a violin in the adjoining window. Always the inquisitive one, I attempted to find something to indicate what was happening inside this building, but it was not until we went to our cell phones and Googled "violin shop on West 68th," that we discovered the history of the half-hidden musical grotto. I then called the phone number that came up and introduced myself to David Segal, a violinmaker and dealer who has been servicing the musicians of Lincoln Center and the greater New York area since 1975. He kindly buzzed us in, and it was then that we were able to truly appreciate his magical workshop and showroom.While showing us around, David explained that he had been on 54th and 62nd Street before moving to his present location. "This is the last time: the next time they will move me," he said with a wry grin. He had an excellent sense of humor, as well as a clear sense of wonder and joy that came through in our time spent together.As I gazed in wonder at a young apprentice who was busy at his desk working with both wood and strings, I commented to the others that this was reminiscent of Geppetto's puppet shop. David laughed, and began to share his story. Originally from Israel, he left for Italy in 1969 to study the art of violin-making. The art is in his blood: his father also made violins, and David showed me the wall of photographs of musicians who use violins crafted either by himself or his dad. After completing his degree in 1972, David moved to New York. Since then, he has become firmly entrenched on the Upper West Side. "I don't have a visa to go to the East Side," he joked. Through his work, he met his wife, who played with the New York Philharmonic for forty years. She came in to buy a "bow," and left with a "beau."Turning to his studio door, I saw a picture of his adorable young grandson, and learned that he has a very artistic family, with his son working as a conductor and his daughter as a visual artist. David himself also dabbles in visual arts: He pointed out a mobile hanging above the front room, crafted from violin bows and bridges. He makes them for his grandchildren, he told us. When I asked David about the charming small violins, he explained that each size is for a different age group. Beaming, he held up the tiniest one in the room, and declared "I am taking this one home with me tonight. My two year old grandson will be arriving in New York shortly."Right before we left, David opened a vault in the front room and pulled out a true Stradivarius, crafted in 1737, which must have been worth a fortune. He says, however, that all that matters with a violin is the sound. Musicians, including his wife, have often traded antique, beautifully made violins for newer, cheaper ones with better sound. "We want to make a violin that sounds good," he stated simply. "If it sounds great, it doesn't matter if it is not so beautiful." As he spoke to us, a customer was testing violins in the front room. He said that clients can take an hour or two to test out the instruments, and may even take them home for a week's trial period. As I heard the strains of tunes come from the customer's test subject, I asked David if he still loves hearing the musicians play, or if it has become background noise to him after so many years. He smiled and said, "I listen to music with great pleasure all the time...but I only listen to classical!"

Lost Gem
Mel's Shoe Repair 1 Restoration and Repairs Upper West Side

Mel's Shoe Repair

Two members of the Manhattan Sideways Team, Tom and Olivia, both commented on the nostalgic smell of shoe polish and leather that met them as they stepped into Riverside Shoe Repair. It is a comforting smell that has been around for centuries, and defines the best shoe repair shops. We had the privilege of talking with George, who recently took over the business after his brother retired and moved back to Colombia, where they are from originally. George explained that in Colombia, his father made shoes by hand, but that they do not have the necessary tools here in the United States to be able to do so.George's father opened Riverside Shoe Repair in 1969. It has always been on 72nd Street, and George remembers working in the store from a young age. Until recently, he had his own store in Orlando, Florida, but came back north to take over from his brother. When I asked him if he was excited about experiencing New York winters again, he said, "That's why I moved to Florida!"I was interested to learn that Beatrice Barbieri - who owned the iconic Louis Shoe Rebuilders, until is was forced to close to make way for brand new shops inside the Empire State Building - technically owns Riverside Shoes, and that George worked in her shop on 34th Street before moving to Florida. It is comforting to know that the New York shoe repair world is a small, tight-knit family, and that this particular shop on 72nd is determined to withstand the test of time, change and increasing rent.

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