The ‘sole survivor’ calls it quits

John’s Shoe Repair ends an era for Princeton after 35 years

By: Lauren Otis
   Another venerable, and venerated, downtown business bites the dust.
   John’s Shoe Repair, which for 35 years has been resoling and revamping footwear of all kinds out of its 18 South Tulane St. storefront, will be closing at the end of July.
   "The building’s been sold and I’m way past retirement age," said Jules Persichetti, a vigorous man with a sweep of white hair who looks much younger than his stated age of 74, as he emerged from the rear of the shop, the only shoe repair store still in operation in Princeton.
   Mr. Persichetti said the property owner, Dora Verbeyst, gave him plenty of notice that she had sold the property and he would have to vacate. According to property records at Princeton Borough Hall, on Oct. 27, 2006 Verbeyst sold the property — 18-20 South Tulane St. — to Emelle Holdings LLC c/o J. Siegel in New York City for $2,444,322.36.
   At the property, on one side of Mr. Persichetti’s shop, Verbeyst French Dry Cleaner was already closed. On the other side, Princeton Record Exchange remains in operation. Owners of the record store did not respond to a request for comment, but in May, Barry Weisfeld, Princeton Record Exchange managing member told The Packet that he had signed a long-term lease that would keep the store at its current location well beyond the next 10 years.
   Mr. Persichetti said plenty of customers were stopping by to offer him their best wishes. His last month in business may in fact be one of his busiest. "They are bringing shoes by the bagful," Mr. Persichetti said, motioning to a wall stacked with shoes awaiting his attention.
   What are his future plans after July?
   "I’m going to take a vacation and I’m going to think about it," Mr. Persichetti said.