LINCOLN PARK — Hanig's Slipper Box shoe store closed its doors at the corner of Clark Street and Diversey Parkway late last week week after 70 years in business.
The shop with the blue awning first opened at the corner in 1944 and was the original location of the business, which has since opened a number of spots citywide.
"It was a very tough decision," said Peter Hanig, president of Hanig's Footwear. "I was reluctant to make it."
Hanig's father, Irv Hanig, first opened the shop on a whim after moving from Cincinnati in 1944.
Peter Hanig's son helped move the final items out of the Lincoln Park location Tuesday afternoon.
"I've worked here most of my life," Peter Hanig, 66, said. "We are sad about closing the store, but we are quite proud to be able to continue business for 70 years."
Peter Hanig said the decision to close was based on the rent, which the shoe store could not afford to support.
This is the second Lincoln Park location shut down this year, the first being at 849 W. Armitage Ave.
The Armitage location was closed to make way for San Francisco-based clothing retailer Marine Layer. The building on Armitage was demolished earlier this summer.
Hanig's has two city locations, at 1000 W. North Ave. and in the John Hancock Center, as well as a location in Wilmette.
