My shoe brand, J.FitzPatrick, is closing its NYC Shop and going back to a more online-focused business with appointment-only visits to our new address in New Jersey.
It has been a great ride in the shop, a wild one to say the least. We signed the lease on March 1st, 2020, and survived the most difficult times we have seen in modern history. Sadly, the world never really bounced back in traditional retail shopping in the store-front sense, all the while rental rates continue to skyrocket. It simply no longer makes sense to hold a store in one of the world’s most expensive cities especially when a lot of the passersby are more often than not, in gym clothes and casual sneakers.
The shop was supposed to carry the business so that we could expand but sadly it has been the opposite and the online continues to grow while sadly the shop remains stagnant, and in 2024 has even gotten worse. Therefore, it is no longer a justifiable expense and we are now parting ways with it.
It is finally 100% official and we now have dates on the move. It might shock you as it is quicker than anyone will expect but our last “open day” will be around August 7th/8th. Our move will take about a week to get fully out and fully into the new venture. We will be in the Union County area, more specifically in Roselle Park. We will run the new location strictly by appointment and only give the address to serious inquiries.
This new move will also allow me to gain more hours of my day to do what I do best: Creative Marketing and Product Development. Sadly, the shop always took my time from being able to sit down and fulfill my true role in the business. I was forever being pulled in too many directions and the shop was the largest puller. I feel good about this new move as I will be able to focus more on my passions and allow me to grow the brand the way I know how and finally have the time to do so.
I have been working on a driving loafer and boat shoe collection for the past year but couldn’t even find the time to sit down and knock out sample orders to test colors etc. I knew that I needed to gain my time back and closing the shop was the only way to do so as hiring an employee with NYC rates and a shop that didn’t cut it was out of the question. My commute will now be 10 minutes and my precious time will finally go to undertaking new projects that I have been meaning to do for years now. While many might see it as a shame, I truly see it as a blessing in disguise. I prefer to be an online brand 5x the size of a shop brand with no foot traffic. And closing the shop will now help us get there!
We are sad for all of the relationships we have built in the city and for those who loved to come to the shop, but fortunately, we are not too far away and will still be accessible. We thank everyone for all of their support during our NYC Shop Years.
If you want to help us with the J.FitzPatrick NYC Shop Closure, please do so by supporting our Summer Sale! The fewer shoes we have to move the better 😉 As always your support is very appreciated!
Shop the Summer Sale here: https://www.jfitzpatrickfootwear.com/collections/all-shoes
—Justin FitzPatrick, The Shoe Snob
Shop · Marketplace · J.FitzPatrick · Patreon
It is a sad news.
Good luck, Justin.
I’m sorry to see that you have to pull the plug, but I understand your position.
I truly wish you luck in your new endeavor.
Wow. Sorry to hear that. I just recently closed my photography studio for pretty much the same reason. Sad closing the doors for the last time but also moving on to better things hopefully. Good luck.
Understandable. Over the last year I’ve tried as much as possible to buy in physical retail stores, it’s great to see the product in person and be sure about the size. But finding interesting new brands that don’t do retail makes me think I’d rather buy from an online brand, if that helps not to compromise on what I value more: independent ownership, consistent manufacturing, good employment practices, business continuity etc.
I’m sure you are well-positioned as an online-focused business and will benefit from the decision long term, good luck.
Thanks for your note. We have always been online-focused with a showroom/shop to help, but always reaching people worldwide has been our goal
Yes, it might sound like a pity… but moving ahead is key!! Good luck, my friend… And I’m really looking forward to those “driving loafers” (yet I’ll have to find out how to mislead my custom agency…lol!
hahaha, thanks JM!