New Business Opens at Old Walter’s Shoe Store Site in Binghamton

A storefront at a busy Binghamton intersection that's been idle for two decades has sprung back to life.

A grocery store with a takeout food operation opened at 13 Main Street on Monday.

Yams Halal occupies the building that had been home to the iconic Walter's Shoe Store for about 50 years. The shoe store closed in July 2003.

The new business is owned by Hamza Khan, who opened The Grove restaurant on Court Street in downtown Binghamton about one year ago.

Khan told WNBF News that the convenience store will be open every day providing grocery items and a food menu.

Food offerings include fried chicken, burgers, seafood and salads. Khan said delivery should be available within the next couple of weeks.

The former shoe store was renovated in June 2019. At the time, businessman Liam Burns envisioned various potential uses for the building. One idea under discussion was the development of a roof-top bar. But the site remained dormant until Khan leased it for the new store.

Khan has sought permission to sell tobacco products at the store, although the building is within 500 feet of Binghamton High School.

Other nearby businesses close to the school now are permitted to sell tobacco items because they were doing so before the city adopted a zoning ordinance change. The planning commission voted to recommend that city council not allow tobacco sales at the new store.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.