Fundraiser Started For UWS Shoe Repair Business Facing 40K Bill

UPPER WEST SIDE, NY — The Carlos Shoe Repair storefront has sat on the Upper West Side for decades, but the small community business is in danger of shutting up shop after receiving a large tax bill from the city.

Carlos Chuva, the owner of the Upper West Side business, recently explained his dire situation to City Council 6 candidate Maria Danzilo.

After seeing the video, Upper West Side resident Candice Byrne created a GoFundMe page to help raise money for Chuva.

"Carlos takes care of Upper West Siders with his wonderful craftsmanship and incredible service. That’s why people in the neighborhood keep going back to him. Sadly now he is on the brink of homelessness," Byrne wrote in the description of the fundraiser. "His business is suffering not just because of Covid. He has a $40,000 tax bill from the city. We can’t lose Carlos! His business is a vital part of our neighborhood and Carlos and his family need his business to survive."

As of Wednesday evening, 42 people have raised $2,424 of the 40,000 goal.

Chuva's struggle to keep his business running on the Upper West Side, and specifically on Broadway — is far from the first of its kind.

In October, Patch found 57 shuttered businesses between West 68th and 98th Streets on Broadway. The figure is 10 more than the 47 shuttered businesses Patch found closed on the same stretch of blocks in 2019.

You can find the GoFundMe for Chuva — here.