Comfort shoe firm eases into space

Published on April 05, 2009

Footwear retailer Eneslow is stepping out on Second Avenue, just in time for its 100th anniversary. The company, which specializes in orthopedic shoes, signed a 15-year lease for its second Manhattan location, taking 2,000 square feet at 1504 Second Ave., between East 78th and East 79th streets. The asking rent was $120 a square foot.

Eneslow will replace the departed Foot Solutions at the Upper East Side spot—a development that will be cheered by area residents, who complain that they miss having a place to buy comfortable shoes.

"[The new store] is near a number of hospitals and health care professional offices that send us a lot of clients," says Eneslow's owner, Robert Schwartz. The retailer already has offices and a store on Park Avenue, as well as a location in Queens. Since an extensive build-out is not needed, Mr. Schwartz plans to open for business on Earth Day, April 22.

"Our business is all about sustainability, after 100 years," he says. Candice Dobbs, president of Dobbs Associates Inc., represented both Eneslow and landlord William Friedland.