ABOUT US
WE HAVE BEEN on the LOWER EAST SIDE for OVER 130 YEARS
Harris Levy was founded in 1894 by immigrants in search of the American Dream . . .
Our ancestors came to America in the late 1800’s for a better life. Once here they rented a pushcart and sold tapestries and fine fabrics from a spot on Orchard Street on New York City’s Lower East Side.
Word of their unique fabrics and great values spread and soon they managed to rent a basement store located at 72 Hester Street near the spot where they had first started out. The store was the center of life for the couple who by then had children all living in the back of the store.
The business would remain the center of life for the family for over a century . . .
As the business grew, so did the kids and their work in the store. In 1930 they bought a condemned building located at 278 Grand Street, and rebuilt it using every penny they had saved. The story goes that the contractor wanted $25 dollars for a full basement, but they could only afford a half basement for $12.50.
Time went on and space was at a premium, so in 1963 we broke through the walls and expanded to an adjacent building located around the corner on Forsyth Street. That building, 98 Forsyth Street, became part of our showroom space as well as our warehouse.
98 Forsyth Street, would later become our front door . . .
Built in the late 1800s as a five story catering hall named Pearl’s Mansion, 98 Forsyth Street had been one of three premier catering halls in Downtown New York. We spent more than three years researching and restoring the original architecture and all of its elegant features. We completed the restoration in 2005, moved into this fabulous building and made it our new home.
278 Grand Street, COVID-19 brings us full circle . . .
For over 128 years we have survived by adapting; reading what our customers want and how we can best provide the greatest value to them. 2020 and 2021 brought COVID-19 and remote shopping made it not cost effective to maintain a large boutique shop. 2022 brought our move to smaller digs back in our old location just around the corner at 278 Grand Street. Come visit us in this beautiful new space. As always if you can’t visit call us (212-226-3102) and experience our personal service over the phone!
VIRTUAL VISIT
our ROOTS, PHILOSOPHY and VALUES —
IN 1923 . . .
our grandfather started taking a ship to Europe with an empty steamer trunk. He would travel all over Europe collecting the finest bed, table and bath linens and when the trunk was full he would come home. His homecoming celebration would begin with the opening of what they called his "Treasure Chest." In those days it was unheard of for a store to do its own importing. We did!
WHAT WE are MOST PROUD of . . .
On the occasion of our 100th anniversary in 1994, a reporter asked us what we are most proud of. We answered: "We are most proud of the previous generations of family who have taught us to appreciate hard work, loyal customers, employees with integrity, honest suppliers and our great country that makes all these possible".
We are proud of the longevity of our staff. Of our full-time staff, the person with us the shortest amount of time has been with us for 15 years. Our customers get our best prices all the time, not just on sale days. We never have and never will pay our staff commissions. That just encourages them to act for their own benefit and not for the benefit of the customer. These are a few of the reasons why we have one of the best reputations among retailers in our industry.
PRICING . . .
Our pricing structure is not based on "what the market will bear" or "how much we can get." Our pricing structure is based on what is an excellent value for our customer. We don't make claims of 25% or 50% off. These are meaningless claims based on artificially inflated prices. We maintain our Value Pricing 365 days a year.