Last July, we found out P.C. Richard & Son, the family-owned appliance, television, electronics, and mattress store that was founded in Brooklyn in 1909, would be moving its Upper West Side location from 2372 Broadway down about eight blocks to 2220 Broadway at the corner of 79th Street. The space was previously a DSW, which closed in February 2022. On Monday, August 26, the new P.C. Richard & Son opened its doors. ILTUWS took a trip over to check it out.
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Outside, visitors are greeted by large white signage, with the P.C. Richard & Son brand name at the top and their four core verticals—appliances, mattresses, electronics, and televisions—displayed along the front of the store below it.
According to their website, there are currently 65 showrooms in the P.C. Richard family across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. However, with the rise of Amazon and other digital sellers and the shrinking of national brands like Best Buy, there may still be people who are unfamiliar with what they offer. That’s why the ‘always be closing’ signage mentality makes sense, ensuring people know what’s inside. Fans of the New York Yankees are well aware of the P.C. Richard name, as their now-famous “Whistle” melody by Leer Leary is played every time the Yankees strike out an opposing batter at Yankee Stadium.
When we walked through the doors, we were greeted by a staffer, and quickly faced some decisions, as the space is deep, with three floors totaling 30,000 square feet. P.C. Richard did a good job installing signs in strategic spots to save you walking time to areas you’re not interested in. There’s a small mattress set up to the right upon entry, and small appliances like coffee makers, toasters, and vacuum cleaners to your left. In the distance, you can see lights of TVs with brand names including LG, Samsung, and Sony above them, indicating the electronics area.
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There’s also a large selection of laptops from popular brands like Apple, HP, and Microsoft. Signs show that the mattress gallery is downstairs while the larger appliances are upstairs.
After touring the ground floor, we took the escalator upstairs to find everything from kitchen ranges to washers and dryers, ovens, and a fun little walkway of refrigerators. As we were getting the lay of the land, P.C. Richard employee Davy P. approached us to see if he could assist. Davy gave us a great tour of the upstairs, showing us a fancy Wolf stainless steel propane range along with a Sub-Zero refrigerator with a built-in wine cooler.
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“From entry-level to the high-end, we’ve got it all,” said Davy, who has been with P.C. Richard for the past nine years.
We continued our journey with Davy down to the underground level, where P.C. Richard has the mattress gallery accompanied by the large TV selection featuring brands we mentioned earlier, as well as others like Sharp, Furrion, Hisense, and Sansui. For the bedding, mattresses come in all the popular sizes from California King to twin, from top brands like Tempur-Pedic, Stearns & Foster, Sealy, Nectar, and more. “We sell a lot of mattresses,” Davy said with a smile when we asked if they moved that many. You’ll also find the bathrooms and water fountains on the underground level.
P.C. Richard & Son is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Sundays, they open at 10 a.m.
It’s like stepping back in time. Does anyone shop in person at these stores anymore? I kind of figured everyone bought online nowadays.
It’s like 1996. How quaint.
im10:
You try mattresses online, you examine the shelving layout of refrigerators online?
Anyhow, this is just a PC Richard’s store (a chain I don’t like) that moved from up Broadway.
I like to see what I am going to buy before I buy it. I’ve never had a problem with this store.
I remember in ’91 when the Fleming School moved from East 62nd, to 79th and Amsterdam-Columbus, that store became a Toys R’ Us…
… or maybe a Lionel Kiddie City Toys (https://www.nytimes.com/1993/06/27/realestate/postings-broadway-and-79th-filene-s-basement-coming.html)?
I wish them the best! Always been a great resource for e.
I’m only sad they left 86th St–another dead store in the 86th-96th St area of Broadway I’ve always had good experiences buying from them and liked being able to get the odd cable or something in between larger purchases.
F.W. Woolworth begat Lionel Kiddie City Toys, and Lionel Kiddie City Toys begat Filene’s Basement, and Filene’s Basement begat DSW, and DSW begat P.C. Richard & Son. (Substitute “was replaced by” for “begat” if you wish.)
Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to forget it, as Dan Quayle may or may not have once remarked.
Thanks for the concise history, jms. I remember it all now.
You’re welcome, Betty!
Do you remember the name of the (Spanish?) restaurant at the NW corner of 77th St. & Amsterdam before The Cottage arrived there in the early 1980s? I do not, and it bugs me greatly.