The Shoe Box

Profile

Patrons of this Upper East Side shoe haven need not be deterred by the gold chains or chest hair of the feisty salesmen: The shoes sell themselves. A family-run business since 1954, the original Shoe Box sold children’s footwear in Plainville, Long Island. But when Richard Kirsch took over for his father, Louis, the focus gradually shifted to high-end women’s shoes and boots. Now the younger Kirsch runs the small but expanding chain with his son Sean, overseeing five locations on Long Island, one in Boca Raton, Florida, and two in Manhattan, as well as a booming online business. In addition to old-school labels like Cole Haan and Donald Pliner, and cutting-edge designers like Jimmy Choo and Dolce & Gabbana, the Shoe Box offers its own signature line, Prego, designed by Richard Kirsch himself. Loafers or heels, trendy or classic, the Prego look varies from season to season, depending on whatever tickles Kirsch’s fancy at the time. For extra finicky shoppers, the store also carries Santini Mavardi, which they will modify according to customers’ specifications. — Sarah Walker

The Shoe Box holds regular advertised sales in addition to their usual end-of-season two-for-one blowouts.