David’s Repair Service Returns to Hudson Street

By Brian and Joy Pape and Maad AlKadhim

We all lamented that David’s Watch and Shoe Repair had shuttered, but David’s has returned, in its new location. He repairs leather coats too. David Solovyov is able to continue his service to the community by receiving or delivering customers’ items from his car. He parks his wagon opposite his former storefront on 508 Hudson Street, on Sundays 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. You can also reach him at 347-616-0324.

BACK STORY

Four months after moving from his historic shoe repair store on Hudson Street, David retired and closed David’s Shoe Repair store.

Last summer, New Yorkers in the Village were shocked to hear that David was closing his original location and moving two blocks up to a shared space with a dry cleaner. As it is a close community, where David was beloved, many New Yorkers donated to his GoFundMe account to help cover some of the moving costs. With their help, David was able to raise over $13,000 towards his move in late July.

The beginning of the end for David began during Covid-19. The pandemic that closed the entire world down did not discriminate between a mom-and-pop shop and a chain store. This unforeseen event caused David’s store to close in March 2020.

“What happened was COVID-19. I was closed for six months after COVID-19. I reopened on September 7 of the same year, 2020. I didn’t have enough business for almost one year. So, the [bills] piled up to $65,000. They [the management] wanted all the money. I applied for a BVP loan. I got only $1,500 which is nothing, but I gave [it] to them,” said David.

After a year of struggling, David’s business went back to normal. However, the management attempted to evict David at the beginning of 2024. They wanted the $65,000 David owed and they took him to court. The court decided that David was to pay a 10% increase in rent until his lease ended.

“My rent used to be $4,200. The judge said to pay $5,000 until my lease ended on June 30. They [the management] don’t want [to renew the lease]. They don’t want to even talk to me,” said David.

Moving away from the original location of David’s Shoe Repair greatly shrank David’s business. Although he paid less in rent, he also had limited space so he could only work on watches. Where once he used to repair washers, shoes, zippers and the like, he could not do that with the new location.

David knew that with limited space and a smaller operation, his time in the business was limited. Even before leaving his historic location, David was planning on retiring.

What remains are the stories that he shared in his 42 years with the community. However, from the many stories, one sticks out — a story David has proudly shared over the years.

“Thirty-five years ago, I came to work. An old lady came in, and she said, ‘My zipper is not working.’ So I tied the slider, and it started working right away. She was so happy and asked, ‘how much?’ I said ‘it took me two seconds. You can have it.’ She gave me a smile, and she walked away,” said David.

After the woman left the store, she was sitting at a bus stop and seemed lost. When people asked her where she was going and where she lived, she couldn’t answer any of those questions. However, there was one thing that she knew.

“Someone asked if she remembered something at least. She said, ‘oh, he [David] fixed my zipper.’ She remembered that part because she was so happy. I called the super [of her building]. The super came right away, and he called her sister,” said David.

The community, just like the old lady, did not and will not forget about David. The community raised money for David in moments of hardship and hopefully will continue to support him.