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Heller's Shoes on South Moger Avenue in Mount Kisco is closing after it was founded 57 years ago by current owner Larry Heller.
The store's closure, scheduled for sometime in June, comes a few years after Heller's closed its popular decades-old shoe store in Pleasantville.
Growing competition online and from large chains are the main reasons for the closures.
While Heller's may soon be gone, it won't be forgotten, as evidenced by the remembrances from some loyal customers.
Tom Bock of Elmsford told Daily Voice: "I remember going in for a pair of simple black loafers many years ago. The girl helping me was very accommodating, helpful and remained cheery the entire time."
"Without much success, she said let me get you a special pair to try on that may surprise you. Well, she came out with a pair of Florsheim's high-end shoes. She opened the box. They were individually wrapped in a cloth bag with a closing string and had me put them on. They fit perfectly and were super comfortable.
"When she told me the price, $145, I hesitated. I was looking to spend $30-40," Bock recalled. "Then I thought how great they felt and how great she had been so I bought them."
"Ironically, I was recently cleaning out my attic and came across them. I picked them up and as I held them I recalled their purchase. They no longer fit me so I donated them to charity. Sad to say goodbye to them and to Heller's," Bock said.
Dan DiBiase of Dayton, N.J., and formerly of Bedford, told Daily Voice: "I actually worked at Hellers for a few years, in the late '70's. I generally worked in the Pleasantville store but also filled in in Mt Kisco when needed. I was in college at the time."
"I recall having to get lunch for the owner when he was in the P'ville store. He would send me to the deli up the street for a tongue-and-Limburger sandwich! That's not easy to forget....," DiBiase said.
"There was also an incident at the Mount Kisco store where an employee that was being fired beat the heck out of the manager. I remember him running out of the store, then someone going into the back to get something and coming across the manager lying on the ground," DiBiase said.
"The big sellers back in the day were Krone clogs and Dr. Scholl's sandals for the women, and Fry boots and this new sneaker called 'Nike' for the guys. Hush Puppies (and) The Converse All-Stars were big too!" DiBiase said. "And yes, we would measure people's feet!"
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