If you’ve spent any time on the Upper East Side, you know that 86th Street is basically a gauntlet of big-box retail and high-end distractions. But right there, tucked between 2nd and 3rd Avenue, sits a store that feels like a bit of a time capsule in the best way possible. I’m talking about PC Richard E 86th St NYC, located at 205 East 86th Street.
Honestly, most people walking past the neon signs assume it’s just another Best Buy clone. They couldn’t be more wrong. While the rest of the world has moved to faceless algorithms and "self-checkout" voids, this specific Manhattan outpost remains a bastion of that old-school, family-owned vibe that P.C. Richard & Son has been riding since 1909.
The Upper East Side’s Worst Kept Secret
It’s a weirdly specific location. You’ve got the 4, 5, and 6 trains just a block away, and the AMC Orpheum 7 right across the street. People come here when their AC dies in a July heatwave or when they finally realize their "apartment-sized" fridge is actually just a glorified cooler.
The first thing you notice? The staff.
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Unlike the "blue-shirt" experience where you might be hunted down by a teenager who knows less about the specs than you do, the folks at the 86th Street store—guys like Anderson or Rob, who've been mentioned in countless local reviews—actually know their stuff. They aren't just reading off a placard. They know which Bosch dishwasher is going to fit in a pre-war kitchen that hasn't seen a renovation since the Nixon administration.
Why This Specific Store Actually Matters
Manhattan real estate is a nightmare. This isn't news. But for a massive appliance and electronics retailer to maintain a footprint this large on the Upper East Side is a feat of business strength.
The Price Match Reality
Here is something most people forget: they actually price match. It’s kinda funny watching someone pull up an Amazon listing on their phone while standing next to a dryer, only to have the salesperson match it on the spot. Why wait for a delivery from a warehouse in Ohio when you can walk it out (or schedule a local truck) from 86th Street?
The Apartment Factor
If you live in NYC, you know the "will it fit?" panic. This store specializes in the bizarre constraints of Manhattan living.
- Small Space Appliances: They have a dedicated section for "apartment size" gear.
- The AC Crisis: In Manhattan, an air conditioner isn't a luxury; it's a survival tool. This store is the local ground zero for Friedrich and Frigidaire units when the humidity hits 90%.
- The Mattress Gallery: They have a full mattress showroom on-site. Trying to buy a mattress online is a gamble; lying on one on 86th Street is a Saturday afternoon ritual for some.
What It’s Really Like Inside
It’s dense. It’s bright. It smells slightly of new plastic and fresh linens.
The layout isn't as "airy" as a suburban showroom because, well, it’s Manhattan. They have to pack 116 years of inventory history into a city block. You’ll find the TV & Home Theater section front and center, often blasting high-definition nature docs to lure you in. Further back, it transitions into the heavy hitters—the refrigerators, ranges, and those stackable washers that every New Yorker dreams of owning instead of trekking to the laundromat.
One thing that surprises people is the Smart Home tech. You wouldn't think a century-old company would be leading the charge on Nest thermostats or Philips Hue lighting, but they’ve kept pace.
The Delivery "Nightmare" vs. Reality
Let's be real for a second. Delivering a 300-pound fridge to an 86th Street address is a logistical war. You have traffic, double-parking tickets, and "elevator-out" surprises.
The reviews for this location are mostly stellar (sitting around a 4.7-star average), but the complaints usually stem from the chaos of NYC delivery. Here’s the nuance: P.C. Richard handles their own deliveries. They aren't always subbing it out to a random third-party company that doesn't care if your floor gets scratched. That said, even the best team struggles when the FDR Drive is backed up.
If you're buying here, ask about the COI (Certificate of Insurance). Most Upper East Side buildings won't even let a delivery guy through the front door without one. The staff at 86th Street deal with this daily—they know the drill.
Making the Most of Your Visit
Don't just walk in and buy the first thing you see.
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First off, check the hours. They typically open at 10:00 AM (9:00 AM on Saturdays) and close around 8:00 PM. If you go on a Sunday, they close earlier, usually by 6:00 PM.
Second, talk to the sales counselors. Ask for the "lowest price guarantee." If you’ve seen a lower price at a legitimate competitor, they'll usually meet it. It’s one of the few places where "haggling" isn't the right word, but "informed negotiating" definitely is.
Quick Store Facts
- Address: 205 East 86th St, New York, NY 10028.
- Phone: 212-289-1700.
- Key Departments: Kitchen, Laundry, TV, Mattresses, Computers, ACs.
The Actionable Takeaway
If you're looking for a new appliance or a tech upgrade and you live north of 59th Street, stop by the store instead of scrolling through 400 conflicting reviews on a major e-commerce site.
Measure your space twice. Measure your doorways three times. Then, go speak to a human who understands that your "luxury" apartment was built in 1920 and has a kitchen the size of a closet. Get the price match, verify the delivery requirements for your building's super, and take advantage of the fact that a family-owned giant still exists in the middle of Manhattan.
The next time your fridge starts making that "I'm about to die" humming sound, you know exactly where to go.