‘Sole’ Survivors

Although shoes overflow the shelves lining the walls and business is clearly doing well, Albert Daniels' shop is one of the rare establishments in today's society that keeps the art of the olden-day cobbler alive. 

 

"It is a drying trend," Albert says. "Nowadays, a lot of people don't even know of a shoe repair shop in their area. There used to be a lot more back in the day because that was what people knew."

 

For Albert, shoe repair has always been part of his life. The business was passed down to him from his father. At nine-years-old, he would go to his father's shop directly after school each day. 

 

"I didn't really have a childhood," he says. "I would come to the shop and hang out, watching my dad repair shoes and sweeping the shop. I learned to fix shoes from that experience, when I would just pick up a shoe and go after it. In a way, it came natural."

Albert's younger brother John shares the same experience of watching their father and learning his trade. Today, John works with his brother and together they strive to uphold the same work ethic as their father. 

 

"I like getting to work with Albert because we both think the same," John says. "We try to do everything honestly, guarantee all of our work, and go that 125 percent. My father always said, ‘If you can't do that, call me and I'll pick up the key.'"

 

The brothers restore the shoes by hand and are familiar with the process required for each different type of shoe. 

 

"The hardest things to repair are the men's boots because they are real detailed," John says. "It's a five-stage process, from the time you take the sole off to the time you put it back on. You take the sole off, then the heel, replace the corking and the stitching, and finally you sew it back on. To remove the heel we have to use a sharp knife, go down the line and pop each old thread all the way around the boot until it opens up."

 

Albert operates the finisher machine with the expertise of someone who has performed the task coutless times. The large machine makes a whirling hum as he sands down the boot and explains the use of the contraption. 

 

"This is to shape the sides so that they fit the boot," he says. "Once we finish the sanding, the machine will trim them and then polish them."

 

As Albert moves along in the process of repairing the boot, he describes his favorite type of shoe. 

 

"I'm like a woman," he says. "I have so many shoes and I rarely wear them out. I prefer Allen Edmonds dress shoes or a Luchesse boot. Those are the kind of well made shoes I would recommend."

 

Choosing to purchase a shoe of good quality is something both brothers strongly encourage. John doesn't hesitate to caution customers on the dangers of not properly taking care of their shoes.

 

"Each customer that I see, I try to give them advice on what type of shoe needs what type of maintenance — and what happens when it doesn't get it," John says. "I tell them that as far as a shoeshine, leather shoes need it as often as you wear them. Then when they come in for a shine, I let them know about how much time is left before their soles need to be repaired. I also try to give them tips, such as keeping your shoes in a shoetree and to never put their leather shoes in a plastic bag."

 

However, John's advice is not limited to just customers. He feels comfortable striking up a conversation with anyone he sees out and about.  

 

"The way their shoes sound can tell me exactly what they have on — then I'll ask if they've ever thought about getting it fixed," John says. "Basically, I'll try to preach to them and teach them the right ways to look after their shoes. A good family friend of mine said you can tell a lot about a person by the way they keep their shoes clean. I usually tell others the same thing."

 

It isn't just shoes that you'll find lying around the back room of the shop. The brothers' handiwork extends to leather of any kind.

 

"You see that baseball glove over there?" Albert says. "We are re-lacing it right now. Purses, belts, patches — we'll stitch anything that needs it. Right now, we have little ballet shoes that we are putting the elastic in and ribbons on the back. We'll even install zippers on boots so customers can get them on easier."

 

Albert and John hope the younger generation continues to see the importance of vanishing crafts such as theirs.  

 

"Once it fades out, we have nothing but fashion," John says. "Most of our customers are more into up-to-date shoes that are made of plastic or vinyl leather, but I prefer genuine leather. Leather lasts longer than vinyl leather, which cracks or tears if not taken care of properly. 

 

"Fashion is taking over, quality isn't."

 

Albert says the younger generation is opting to buy less expensive shoes that they are able to simply throw away when they wear out. 

 

"The older generation came through the depression, and had to take their shoes and get them fixed," John says. "It was a cheaper way to do it instead of going and buying a pair of new shoes for over a hundred dollars. You could take less than half of that and fix the shoes you had on. But these days, people are more into what looks good than trying to get their shoes fixed when it's needed."

John says that he and his brother will do whatever it takes to put the customer first and ensure they come back, including keeping prices at a fixed rate.   

 

"We try to be honest with each repair whether it's a dollar or fifty dollars," John says. "We try not to give them more than they need, especially in this day's economy. Our customers like our low prices, and we haven't changed them in the last ten years."

 

The Daniels brothers take pride in their family-oriented business and personal customer service — something they say today's large corporations lack.

 

Albert places a worn leather work boot under the sander, sending sparks flying and breaking the silence of the room. It is a scene that has been repeated thousands of times over generations.

 

If the Daniels brothers have their way, the cobbler tradition will carry on for generations to come.