New Location, New Crowd, For Park Slope’s Good Footing
Philip Chaitman has owned three small businesses in Park Slope over the last 30 years. He is no stranger to rising commercial rents, the most recent affecting the unexpected and hurried move of shoe store Good Footing from the location at 196 7th Avenue to his brand new one – six blocks south – at 316 7th Avenue, in the former Video Gallery space between 8th and 9th Streets.
Chaitman has a long history in Park Slope’s north end. He opened 3rd Street Skate Shop in the late 1990s, in the 7th Avenue corner space where Yogurtland resides currently. He then introduced the original Good Footing at the corner of Union Street and 7th Avenue (where Bank of America is now), and Good Footing Adventure at 196 7th Avenue two years later. He added ‘Adventure’ to the name as he introduced products to that catered to outdoor/adventure types.
The skate shop and the original Good Footing closed soon after because of rent increases, and he operated Good Footing Adventure from then on, by that time having built a local loyal clientele who swore by his assortment of high quality and comfortable shoes and accessories.
This recent move up the Avenue has been a positive one, Chaitman says.
“My old customers are finding me, and many say I am even closer to them now,” he tells us. “This new location affords even more foot traffic, a more dynamic and changing demographic, and definitely more folks out and about on the weekends.”
The most popular item for spring? He says it’s the Birkenstock Arizona. And you can score 10% off those (or anything else in the shop) by following @GoodFooting on Instagram.
Good luck Philip – we hope you continue to keep Park Slope feet suited up for many years to come!
About the author: Deb Klein has called the Park Slope area home for over 10 years, and can often be seen walking her dog or riding her bike in and around the area, sniffing out new haunts and supporting old favorites. She has promoted the area in the past – with a special eye on Gowanus – both thru her PR company and her craft market series. She specializes in human (and canine) interest stories AND anything Gowanus-oriented; feel free to contact her at debklein9@netscape.net.