J-Michael Shoes set to close after over 40 years on Marshall Street
Marshall Street’s J-Michael Shoes is conducting one of its final sales before its closure on May 30. Since opening in 1983, J-Michael Shoes’ storefront has grown from 600 to more than 3,000 square feet. Eli Schwartz | Asst. Photo Editor
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UPDATE: This story was updated at 10:27 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
After more than 40 years, J-Michael Shoes on Marshall Street is closing for good, Syracuse.com first reported Monday.
In December 2024, the once family-owned business ended when the father-son duo sold the store to StreeTgame, a sneaker store with multiple locations across upstate New York. Less than two years after selling the store, J-Michael Shoes will close on May 30, manager Colin Smith said.
John Vavalo, who is now 86, opened the store in 1983. John Vavalo named his store after his son, John Michael Vavalo, who was a year old at the time.
Several items, including winter coats, are on sale at J-Michael Shoes before the store’s closure. In 1983, owner John Vavalo named the store after his then-1-year-old son John Michael Vavalo. Eli Schwartz | Asst. Photo Editor
Smith began working at J-Michael Shoes in 2021 as a salesperson when it was still owned by the Vavalo family. Now, Smith is a manager under the new ownership. Smith grew up around the business with generations of his family — his uncle Erik Hicks and grandfather James Hicks — also managing the shoe store.
“I think it’s going to be a huge loss for the entire Syracuse community,” Smith said. “It goes way beyond just the university, because we couldn’t have gotten to the point where we’re at now if it wasn’t for everybody around town.”
Prior to opening J-Michael Shoes, Vavalo owned Townsend Shoe Store in downtown Syracuse, which he opened in 1969. Townsend closed in 1982, the same year that John Michael Vavalo was born.
Since its Marshall Street inception, J-Michael Shoes’ storefront has grown from 600 square feet to the more than 3,000 square feet it is today.
Customers can shop at J-Michael Shoes for its closing sale until May 30.
