Handbags

[KathyM23]

We have a shoe repair shop in our town, but it is so jumbled up, he can hardly find anything and you have to stop in several times to bug him if you want finally want him to get around to repairing yours.  I have so many shoes that I seldom would wear a pair out and it makes no sense for me to have them repaired.  By the time they needed repaired, I'm sure I would be tired of them anyway.

[software]

Yes, several in the Birmingham AL, area

[sunshine45]

we still have small locally owned shoe repair stores in our area. some are attached to dry cleaners and some are just shoe and handbag repair stores.

[151949]

I recently took a yellow leather purse to be repaired because the zipper was coming out. I was afraid he'd say he could not match the yellow, but he did a fabulous job.

[lianne]

I only buy leather shoes and boots, fortunately NYC has a ton of shoe repair places. Unfortunately, they have gotten expensive. Last lifts for heels I got, it was $15. 

Im not going to say how much leather soles for my boots cost. I had no idea these cobblers don't exist in many places. 

[Big Sister]

I sure miss my shoe repairman.  He retired last year and was in that location for about 40 years.  Next to his shop is a vacuum repair/service shop which has been there about 40 years also.  I hope he stays open.

[BirkiLady]

When working, all my heels had leather soles. I was often droppng 2-3 pairs of shoes off at the shoe repair shop to have either the tips of the heels and/or the soles replaced. Additionally, the huge comfy chair behind my office desk ruined the backs of my leather heels . . . and the shoe repairman was always straightening and reglueing the leather. Plus, he polished my shoes far better than we did at home.  

On the other hand, my husband wore dress shoes daily which also had leather soles. My husband believed shoes should be polished after each wearing. He had many of the same style of shoes (most black) and would drop several pair off at a time. Periodically, he would have them reheeled or resoled so keep his walk even. Confident most of the business done by shoe repair shops continues to be for businessmen and women or those wearing boots. People who still insist on quality leather footwear. 

I have also had leather goods (i.e. suede jacket, leather coat) worked on by the same shoe store. We are in a major college and University City; I imagine the students patronize the shoe shops with their leather purses also. Sadly, too many shoes are made with man-made fabrics and rubber soles. Hope they are able to stay in business for a very long time; it's an amazing trade. 

[BirkiLady]

@StylishLady  Your dry cleaners will replace zippers on clothing. 

[Desertdi]

Phoenix:    Lots of leather repair shops here

[Pook]

A large one just closed in my area but there are a few smaller ones still around.  At one time people usually didn't have or could afford many shoes so they needed to have them repaired.  Now, even with expensive ones, most end up disposable as many just buy another pair and shoes are just not made that well anymore and are harder to repair.