NOW

A historic brand in New York City, Eneslow has been making orthotics and modifying footwear since 1909. It was a small business, initially, opening on Avenue A where Edward and Nellie Stone Low sold surgical products and shoes. They quickly became known for their expertise in footwear, and transitioned to solely shoe sales. During the 1940s, Paul Schwartz, a custom orthotics maker, began selling his product to Eneslow. In 1968, he purchased the company and had his brother join him.

Since its opening, over one hundred years ago, Eneslow has expanded to other locations in the New York area, and in 1995, the Schwartz family opened the Eneslow Pedorthic Institute to provide pedorthic education and training. Eneslow was the first Pedorthic business in New York City, and is considered America’s largest pedorthic retailer.

THEN

Built in 1868 as a row of 5 brownstones, 1319 Third Avenue is the only one retaining some of its original details like the galvanized iron cornice. Designed by architect George Just, the row was commissioned by John Schappert, a NY-born developer of German ancestry. Schappert was a longtime Yorkville resident, having lived in a few apartments at Second Avenue before moving with his wife and eleven children to a house on East 89th Street circa 1905. At that time, 1319 Third Avenue was home to Charles Armbruster & Co. Cigar Shop. In 1919 the building was purchased by the Salvation Army, with the purpose of turning it into one of its headquarters. In the 1960s the building was home to the Irvington House Thrift Shop, then to the club Bechet’s and later to the restaurant Café des Sports in the 1980s. In the 1990s, the first floor housed three different restaurants: Fusillo, Rose Hip, and Quisisana.