(Picture heavy post)
It’s been more than two years that I have been in NYC now and I finally just had the chance to visit the Crockett & Jones shop on East 55th st, where I was able to meet the team and take some photographs. Having spent 7 years in London, I was well acquainted with all of their Central London shops, as not only did I walk by them nearly on a daily basis, but also knew many of those that worked there. But NYC is a different ballpark and for me to get to this shop is to go a bit out of my way. But nonetheless, I was happy to do so and be able to take photographs to showcase the great British Shoemaker’s collection of shoes, which I think greatly needs better visibility here in the US. So please read on and enjoy the pictures of this great brands’ selection of shoes in NYC.
Pound for pound, Crockett & Jones is one of the best shoemakers in the world. While their shoes are not inexpensive by any means, especially here in the US (benchgrade oxfords starting around $640), they will hold up against the test of time, durability wise, and in Britain are probably the most respected maker overall for the common man that dresses smartly. But here in the US, it is really only the distinguished gentleman that knows of the Crockett & Jones brand, while many Americans focus on their native shoemakers Allen Edmonds and Alden, or even worse, dropping +$600 on blake stitched Italian super brands that are selling you nothing but a name. And the problem is that none of those makers can hold a candle to Crockett in the grand scheme of things.
But I do know that part of the problem here in the US is actually being able to acquire them. They only have two shops here in NYC and 3 stockists in the rest of the US, with 3 more in Canada. But I can tell you that soon this will all change and acquiring them will become much easier.
Their shop on East 55th (between 5th and Madison) has the feel and look similar (i.e. layout and furniture) to that of all of their other shops in England. The ones in France are a touch different but what is breaking waves is the fact that their brand new shop in Soho, NYC looks nothing like the rest. And that, for me, is a good thing. It shows progress and modernization. There is nothing worse than brands never changing. A lot of times they think that if they change they will lose their original identity but this is a mistake to think as one can change, evolve so to speak, and still maintain their culture, their integrity and their identity. And it looks like Crockett and Jones is doing just that with their new store. And a post will follow on that.
But here, on 55th, they keep it classic, which makes sense as that area is where many ‘classic’ men work, wear suits and are looking for the finer things in life. So their classic, English ‘look’ fits right in to the feel of this area.
If you live in NYC and haven’t yet had a chance to check out Crockett & Jones shoes, I suggest you take some spare time to make your way over and you won’t regret it. You won’t find a larger selection of fine footwear from any one brand in the entire world. I promise that.
Stay tuned for parts 2 and 3 of Crockett and Jones NYC
https://www.crockettandjones.com/
It’s a shame that store is let down by the undeserved snobbery of the sales staff. By far the worst experience I had in all the shoe shops I visited in NYC.
Thanks for sharing Madhat, I will pass that on to the powers that be.
Certainly. I know that wasn’t terribly specific. I came in specifically looking to purchase a pair of velvet slippers, but also to confirm my sizing in some of their lasts. Plenty of sales staff to handle me, but they were more interested in the British gentleman and the Australian regular. I’m sure they were expected to be a larger sale, but I’m not exactly a one and done buyer. I basically had to tell them to take my money. In retrospect, the better move would have been to leave and buy online, but I do prefer to shop in store when I can. Carmina was much more inviting, and got an impulse but from me and my companion because of it. The other stores were pretty normal experiences. John Lobb in California was equally inviting as Carmina, even knowing I was just browsing. Nice shoes, but a poor in store experience can certainly kill future sales.
On a positive note, I enjoy my pair of your brand and appreciate you keep this blog going!
Thanks for going deeper and sharing your story. And of course your kind words. I do appreciate the support!
wow……your photos are fantastic..thanx for spemding the time!!! My plans are to go manana to soho.
Thanks Joel and enjoy!
I know customer service experiences can be very subjective, and having been on both sides of the table, I believe that bad experiences are usually due to an individual salesperson that was crappy.
I’ve been visiting Crockett & Jones since they only had a stock list at Turnbull & Asser. I’ll start by saying that I’m not your typical suit and tie office dude. I haven’t worn a suit for 20 years. My regular work attire is jeans and some engineer boots. The staff at C&J overall has been superb for the past 15 years. My most recent visit was great, attentive and we had good conversation. I did spend some good coin this time around, but the last time I was there, I only purchased some shoelaces. The staff were equally great and threw in a free pair of laces for me.
Again, I am not disproving a person’s bad customer experience. I’ve had a few myself, even to the point where I just walk out without a word. However, I know how quickly a bad reputation will spread, and to say that it is the case 100% of time would be unfair to the staff, that day in and out, are great to their customers.
Thanks for your words and sharing your experience. I do appreciate it!