You’re walking down Broadway, dodging a rogue delivery bike, and you see that familiar yellow and red neon. It’s a New York staple. But here’s the thing: people treat PC Richards Upper West Side like just another big-box graveyard for toasters and refrigerators. Honestly? They’re missing the actual story. This isn't just a place to panic-buy an air conditioner when July hits 95 degrees. It is one of the few remaining anchors of old-school retail in a neighborhood that’s being swallowed by bank branches and luxury condos.
Most of us remember the old spot. For years, the store lived at West 87th and Broadway. It was fine, sure, but a bit cramped. Then everything shifted. In 2023, they moved south to 2220 Broadway, right at the corner of 79th Street.
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This wasn’t just a move for more shelf space. They took over the old DSW spot—a space that has more history than most modern Manhattanites realize. Before the shoes, it was Filene's Basement. Before that? A Woolworth’s. There’s even a bit of neighborhood lore suggesting the basement once housed horse stalls for the Belnord. Now, it's where you go to find a Bosch dishwasher that won't leak on your neighbor's ceiling.
The 79th Street Shift: Why the New PC Richards Upper West Side Matters
The move to 79th Street put them right in the crosshairs of the Zabar’s crowd. It’s a power move. If you’ve ever tried to haul a 55-inch OLED TV through a subway turnstile, you know why having a massive showroom in the heart of the 10024 zip code is a lifesaver.
Kinda funny, actually—while most retailers are shrinking their footprint or going "online-only," the Richard family leaned in. They signed a deal with the Zabar family (who own the building) to keep a massive physical presence here. It’s a 116-year-old family business acting like a startup. You have to respect the hustle.
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What’s actually inside?
It’s big. Like, "get lost in the mattress section" big.
- The Appliance Gauntlet: It’s basically a parade of stainless steel. If you’re looking for Sub-Zero or Wolf, they have the high-end stuff, but they also have the "my landlord won't pay for this" budget options.
- The "Manhattan Special" ACs: Anyone who lives in a pre-war building knows the struggle. This location stocks those specific window units that actually fit those weirdly narrow Upper West Side windows.
- Mattress Gallery: They’ve leaned hard into the "Son of a Mattress" branding lately. It’s a weird pivot for an electronics store, but honestly, trying a Tempur-Pedic in person beats guessing on a website.
Don't Fall for the "Big Box" Myth
People assume because it's a chain, it’s impersonal. It's really not. The salespeople at the PC Richards Upper West Side location are often guys who have been there for decades. You’ll walk in and see someone like Franco or Steve—names you see popping up in local reviews—who actually know the difference between an induction cooktop and a standard electric one.
They won't just sell you a fridge; they'll tell you if it's actually going to fit through your tiny galley kitchen door. That is a service Amazon cannot provide.
The "Richard is Reliable" Reality Check
Look, it’s not all sunshine and perfect deliveries. If you check Trustpilot or Yelp, you’ll see the scars. You’ve got people complaining about 2-week delivery windows or "rude" installers. It happens. Dealing with New York City logistics is a nightmare for everyone.
But the reason people keep coming back is the "We Service What We Sell" motto. Most retailers sell you a TV and then tell you to call the manufacturer if it breaks. PC Richards has their own fleet of repair techs. Is it perfect? No. But having a local store to walk into and complain when your dryer dies is a luxury most people don't appreciate until it's too late.
Navigating the Store Like a Local
If you’re heading there, don’t just wander in on a Saturday afternoon. It’s a zoo. The Upper West Side demographic is... vocal. You’ll see people arguing over the BTU requirements for a studio apartment like it’s a Supreme Court hearing.
- Go on a Tuesday morning. It’s quiet. You’ll get the undivided attention of a veteran sales associate.
- Ask for the "Open Box" deals. This is the secret. Because it’s a high-volume Manhattan store, people return stuff all the time because it didn't fit or they didn't like the color. You can often snag a high-end microwave or a soundbar for 30% off just because the box was opened.
- The Basement is Key. A lot of the heavy lifting happens on the lower level. Don't just hover near the entrance.
The Longevity Factor
In an era where we lose a neighborhood favorite every week, PC Richards Upper West Side feels like a survivor. It serves Hell's Kitchen, Morningside Heights, and everyone in between. Pieter Christian Richard started this whole thing in 1909 as a hardware store in Brooklyn. His son, A.J., was literally "born into the business."
That lineage matters. When you buy from this store, you aren't just feeding a corporate algorithm. You're supporting a business that still closes on Thanksgiving Day so its 2,700 employees can actually eat dinner with their families. That's a rarity in 2026.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Visit
Don't just walk in blind. If you're planning a kitchen Reno or just need a new laptop, do these three things first:
- Measure your doorways. Seriously. The biggest reason for failed deliveries in the 10024 area is the "Manhattan Doorway." Your new fridge might be 30 inches wide, but if your door frame is 29.5, you’re in trouble.
- Check the "Price Match" status. They have a low price guarantee. If you see it cheaper at Best Buy or even a reputable online seller, show them. They usually match it on the spot to keep the sale local.
- Ask about the protection plan. I know, I know—everyone hates the "extended warranty" pitch. But because they use their own technicians, the PC Richards plan is actually one of the few that isn't a total headache to use in NYC.
Go see the new 79th Street location. Even if you don't need a new washing machine, it's worth seeing how a century-old brand manages to stay relevant in the middle of Broadway's chaos. It’s basically a local museum of things that make our apartments livable.