Love 'em and Keep 'em..
What do you do when those old boots start leakin’? Shed a tear and say goodbye…
No way! Not when you are “Making it Do.” It would cost a pretty penny to replace these old boots! And besides new boots are darn hard to break in. My husband’s old boots are well loved and fit him like a glove. Throwing them out is like throwing the baby out with the bath.
Time for a visit to the Village Cobbler in Salt Lake City.
The Village Cobbler has been owned by one or another of my Uncles for almost 40 years, and over the years almost every kid in my family has worked there, including me. We shined shoes, helped customers and learned to work hard. But it wasn’t all hard work… my Uncles are funny guys and we had a blast hanging out with our cousins.
Owned by my Uncle Robbie, the Village Cobbler is the best place to get your shoes repaired in Utah. He is a master cobbler and can fix anything you bring him… from dyeing delicate shoes just the right color for your wedding… to re-soling and repairing old boots.
Here’s a few pictures from my visit to the shop:
Uncle Robbie stitching a sole. That is one powerful sewing machine… (did I mention I love old sewing machines? Even if they are meant for leather!)
Buffing and polishing those old boots until they look like new.
One down and one to go. Wow, are those really a pair?
While Uncle Robbie’s working I wander around the shop… oh look, another wonderful old sewing machine! I wish I had this one when I’m working on heavy costume fabrics at Halloween.
I love seeing the shoes lined up and ready to go.
The Village Cobbler has a lot of soul… I mean soles. (Sorry, I couldn’t help myself!)
And will you look at that, they look awesome. You can saddle up the horses darlin’, ’cause these boots are ready to ride.
Taking a trip to the Village Cobbler was a good reminder to take care of what I have instead of simply wanting something new.
My generation has grown up with a disposible mentality. We tend to throw things away when it shows any signs of wear. But in a world of limited resources those attitudes aren’t good for the environment or our pocket books. Plus, it just feels good to give new life to something old and loved. Find a good shoe repair in your neighborhood and give your favorite shoes another 10,000 miles.
Wow amazing!
I love getting my shoes repaired. It makes me feel so old fashioned or something.
I love the Village Cobbler. I grew-up not far from there and remember taking shoes there when it was on the backside of the old Foothill Village (when all the stores had brown shingles on the roofs.) How great to have that connection.
what a great idea! i didn’t even know that you could get your shoes repaired :(
thanks for your great ideas – i have learned a lot and will definitely be on the lookout for a shoe repair shop in my neighborhood.
When I was growing up we took all our shoes to the “shoemaker” as my dad called him. Everything was resoled and fixed up. Those were the days we bought fabulous leather shoes at the outlet stores where they REALLY made them. My dad would brag about how old his shoes were all the time. It kind of does my heart good to see a resurgence in wanting to repair shoes and keep using them. I love it.
Wow. What an amazing craftsman. Thanks for sharing.
I love the Village Cobbler! They have rescued a solid dozen pair of my heels with new tips, soles, straps, whatever. Mmmmm, love love and triple love.
Here’s a question–could they actually *make* me a pair of shoes? Nothing super tricky, but do they do that anymore?
xox
Heidi, I am not sure if my Uncle Robbie makes shoes… you could check with them, the number is 801-582-7784. I’m so glad you love them. I do too!