Capezio

I came here to get my daughter a leotard & ballet slippers. I asked the cashier do they have any long sleeved pink leotards. She said they don’t have anymore & don’t know when they will ! I feel like she should have double checked in the back or even tell me where I could find one. being that she didn’t know when they would be available again !!!

Never again, due to issues with apathetic, unfriendly, eye-​rolling staff! There were at least 3 staff there, but they all seemed annoyed by my existence. I was the only customer in the store (1PM on a Friday in mid-​September), but the staff were uniformly rude and dismissive. They had NO interest in or understanding of a dancer’s needs – they didn’t have my size, couldn’t tell me when more shoes might come in, and if I special-​ordered, I would have to buy them whether they fit or not! Seriously?!? I walked home and ordered from Capezio online, where the prices are lower, and returns are not only accepted, but they’re free! I would rather buy the $ 300 DelDuca character shoes than set foot in this store again.

Located on the corner of 69^th and Amsterdam (the Google Maps locator is incorrect on Unilocal), this is a really great shop, as it’s a quiet neighborhood, easy to get to, and has some lovely staff members. Friendly, patient, conversational (if you’re of a mind), and remember return customers. Pricing is pretty fair across the board for the quality, and there are nice selections for the various items they carry.
Only cons I’ve come across are that they often have to order my size (dude with big & wide feet, in terms of typical dancer sizes), and the shop gets rather warm in the heat of summer, as the sun beams directly through the glass windows.
Other than that, really enjoy coming to this location!
Note: 10% discount for paid up AEA members, and 20% discount for Steps On Broadway students!

Persistence pays… I was able to discuss my unpleasant experience with the store manager who was extremely apologetic for how I was treated. I was able to get full credit towards my purchases plus an incentive to come back to the store. She more than made up for the bad run-​in I had previously. I’m happy to learn that Capezio does in fact value their customers and does provide premium service. I will go back!

I agree with most Unilocalers here about the staff. Took my daughter here for her first pair of ballet shoes. As a dance teacher, I know the shoe styles and sizes inside out and could’ve ordered online. However, since it was her first pair I wanted her to have the memory of picking them out at the store. This was a hugely sentimental moment and it was almost ruined by the apathetic, unfriendly, eye-​rolling staff. Was I able to get what I needed? Yes but had I been a novice, it might’ve been a struggle. Would never go back.

If I could give this place less than one star I would. I went to their flagship store to buy shoes for an audition the next day– it is a regular Wednesday, so it should not have been a problem. Well, they decided to close the entire store for inventory ALL DAY– ON A REGULAR BUSINESS DAY. So, quickly I think to go uptown. Not only was the register down, so they only took credit, the staff was EXTREMELY RUDE. The man working in the shoe department walked past me three times as I stood there holding shoes, so I made my way up to the register where the only other woman working in the shop was cruising Facebook on her iPhone. I stood in front of her for a bit, without ANY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, until I asked for her help. Perhaps she didn’t care to help me because she didn’t know anything about the shoes. The man then attempted to «help» me by giving me the wrong color and wrong size, mostly because he didn’t ask, he just shoved the box in my face. I asked for two different styles/​sizes/​color and they didn’t have them. Considering the audition is tomorrow, I bought the shoes in the wrong color… upon checkout, the two «salespeople» spoke to each other and not to me, charged me a price without telling me what it was and whether or not they honored my union discount, and to top it off did not have a proper bag to carry the shoes out of the store with. They handed me the receipt and not having said a word, I simply walked out with my purchase in a bit of disbelief. Retail is based in customer service, or so it once was. It makes me angry that I was backed into a corner having to give this company my business (I had been to two other dance retailers and unfortch, their shoes were not a fit for my foot). MY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE LOOKING FOR DANCEWEAR– CHECK OUT SANSHA AND GRISHKO BEFORE HAVING TO DEAL WITH THESE WRETCHED POEPLE. THERE ARE TWO OTHER REVIEWS ON HERE THAT SAY THE SAME THING, SO CLEARLY NO ACTION IS BEING TAKEN TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

This store has the WORST sales staff EVER! I went in to buy 2 girls’ dresses and I had to ask them to help me several times and they seemed annoyed at having to do so. I didn’t know what I wanted so was expecting them to show me what they had but they just said «it’s all here on the rack»… As in «look for yourself»! And when I asked what the price of a dress was, the sales woman said «it’s written on the tag»! At check out I asked if they could gift wrap 1 of the dresses and they replied with a plain and rude «no». No apologies, no other words said. Just «no». At that point I lost all desire to give these people any business so I told them I wasn’t going to buy the dresses and left the store. The worst part? The saleswoman looked at me bewildered with her mouth open as I walked out, as if she couldn’t believe I it, as if I were the rude one… OMG someone please fire that staff or teach them how to be good sales people!!!

This store provides many dance basics and can suit the needs of any one who is just starting or needs a staple piece of dance attire. There isn’t much real estate inside, but the store is packed.
Why only two stars? The staff was nasty with customers. They weren’t very helpful and they seemed annoyed by everyone and everything. I suppose it was that time of the year where they probably received a lot of questions from non-​dancers (it was the week before Halloween and many people were probably putting together costumes), but it was a bit ridiculous. Since I used to dance, I didn’t need any help and found everything without much difficulty, but I would think the staff should be more accommodating to novices — and everyone else, for that matter. When I paid for my items the woman practically threw everything into a bag and shoved it at me without a thought. Really, poor service here.

I had experienced so much frustration after searching multiple shoe stores for simple and comfortable ballet flats to wear to my wedding’s reception. I have small but wide feet and can never find shoes that fit properly. After having zero luck, a friend recommended that I try a dance shop.
I found Capezio on Unilocal,and the positive reviews were so true! Within 10 minutes of entering the store, I was helped by a friendly employee, fitted perfectly for shoes on the first pair, and rung up. Also, my shoes only cost $ 19. Wha?!? I’m so excited to wear them at my wedding.
Highly recommend Capezio!!!

This branch of Capezio is small, meaning less stock and diversity, but it’s pretty well maintained and has the basics. It’s also near Lincoln Center, which is a plus when you don’t have time to make it to the theatre district.
Overall, solid and respectable, but nothing amazing or particularly unique.

I like that they opened a store so close to Steps and AMDA.
It’s small and I am not sure what they DON’T have that the 50^th street store has.

Love this place!
Super sweet sales staff always willing to help you search for your size or advise you on what shoes/​leos/​tights are the best for what you need. Their sale section is pretty amazing and well stocked, great for students. And they offer a pretty good student discount, it’s nice to know they recognize those of us going into the performing arts need to save the $$ wherever and whenever possible.
Another huge benefit is it’s super close to where I go to school which is great, especially that time when I forgot my leo and tights and need to get new ones before my 3PM ballet class. One quick phone call to the Capezio and my tights and leo were there waiting for me at the cash register, now that’s what I call customer service!

Taking a ballet class is good for your sex life. (Do I really need to write anything more? Well, I guess…)
And a good thing to have when taking said ballet class, is the proper footwear. It was «back to class» shopping for me, I haven’t taken ballet since I was a young girl (and sex was the furthest thing from my mind — yes, REALLY, I was innocent once, a long long long time ago).
Now, I am out of shape, way out of rhythm and I sheepishly walked through the door of this shop. To my relief, I was greeted by the nicest, buffest and gentlest sales clerk/​manager, I mean really nice. He didn’t burst out laughing at me when I bought SIZE 12M Ballet slippers (yes, I am a girl, and yes, my feet are HUGE! — which is proportional, as I am 5’10″ — in my defense, they run up a size). Jamie fitted me, gave me pointers and was very encouraging — I didn’t mention taking the class to improve my sex life, I used the phrases posture, and flexibility — (in real life, I do have some sense of propriety).
Not only did I get shoes for $ 17.00 (he gave me a 10% discount for joining their e-​mail list) but I got encouragement, and even though me, the non athlete was dreading going into a dance store, I found acceptance and no attempt at up sell etc. I knew that ballet would be good for me, and it has turned out to be, in many surprising ways. A positive shopping experience, a 10% discount, and some freakish flexibility. Win/​win in my book.
Oh, and the store, well organized, a good amount of stock (this is not a super store — more of a two and a half room boutique) but they had what I needed, and are very convenient to Lincoln Center.