Salt and Slush Taking a Toll on New Yorkers' Shoes

by Stephanie Colombini | 02/12/2014 | 3:13pm

Salt and Slush Taking a Toll on New Yorkers' Shoes

Drivers have had to dig their cars out from under mountains of snow before braving slippery roads. But pedestrians haven't had it much easier.

This winter has been rougher than usual for most New Yorkers.  Commuters are safe from the elements inside Manhattan's Grand Central Terminal.  But outside is a different story.  

Laura Simonelli is from Pleasantville.   She says her job involves a lot of walking, so she spends plenty of time trudging through the slush and ice.

"My shoes have not liked this winter season at all!  They're covered with white stuff; and I've had to replace a couple of pairs already."

Simonelli says she's thrown out some suede shoes because she couldn't salvage the salt and water-stained material.  But leather shoes have a better chance of survival. 

Joe Rocco has worked at Jim's Shoe Repair shop in Midtown since 1971.  He says the key is getting your shoes in as soon as the damage occurs.

"The longer the salt stays in, the worse it gets for the shoe; because it actually can burn the leather.  It leaves a burn mark; even though it's not white, you can still see it."

Rocco says this year stands out with a higher number of salt and water repairs than usual. 

 

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