A Visit With: Leffot
This past weekend I had the pleasure of sitting with Steven Taffel the owner and founder of Leffot.
Leffot opened in the Spring of 2008 and has since changed the way men shop for shoes.
For me, there are a few things that are important in a retail store. Brands, service and, last but not least, environment. Steven has nailed all three of these and could practically open up a consulting business with how well he runs Leffot.
Leffot carries some incredible brands like Edward Green, Gaziano & Girling, Pierre Corthay, Rider Boot, Quoddy, Alden and Saphir…
Alden (love that blue one!)
Rider boot...check that cordovan in the middle. WOW!
Gaziano & Girling
After roughly 10 years with Prada, Steven and his wife decided to open up a store.
“…I don’t think women love shopping in men’s shoe stores. So we wanted to make sure it was attractive to men and women, an environment they felt comfortable in.”
You don’t really realize it, but Leffot is laid out like a dining room: A nice table in the center is filled with shoes, a lovely chandelier hangs above the table and the walls are a dark, relaxing color.
With centerpieces like this:
Saphir Shoe Care
it’s quite an appetizing table (though I won’t eat shoe horns).
The customer service there is unmatched. While we were talking, a man walked in and expressed to Steven his frustration of not being able to find shoes in his particular size (9EEE aka super wide feet). I started smiling as I could see Steven ready to take on the challenge. Steven showed the gentleman custom shoe orders from other customers and explaining how you could get one to your exact specifications, etc. You could see the man’s jaw falling to the floor. He seemed so anxious to order a pair of Edward Green shoes that he fumbled to pull his business card out of his pocket.
Steven does quite a few custom orders out of Leffot. Near each brand of shoe, he also has each company’s leather samples on display, which is something that I think more stores should do. I sat and flipped through them and thought about ordering a few custom pairs myself. Sadly, your old blogging buddy Jeremy has got to save a bit more.
Edward Green
Leather Samples
Watching Steven help a few other customers was so inspiring to me. He is a man who is passionate about what he believes in: shoes.
Good enough for me. I’ll be coming back again and again.
Next time you’re in Manhattan stop on by Leffot 10 Christopher Street 212.989.4577
Here are some other photos below
Quoddy
Wolverine, Church's
awesome post, and great photos. Definitely stopping by the next time I visit Manhattan.
excellent stuff my man, great to get some insight on this shop, i’ve had my eye on them for awhile. those gaziano & girlings look ridiculous!
paul
Great post and pics!
nice post
Nice stuff. Too many good things to choose from. Let’s see, rent or shoes, rent or shoes…
Lovely photos, and thanks for the info on the store. And I agree, the Gaziano & Girlings are beauties.
Nice story about a great shoe boutique…I’ve worked with Steven since he opened the store, he is the most passionate shoe pro in the shoe biz. Thanks for letting your membership know about it….a place like this is rare even in a city like New York!