In the News

The Forgotten 'R': Repair

...Nationwide, repair businesses—except for those that handle computers—have been in decline for decades. Before World War II, for example, the country had more than 100,000 shoe repair shops; now there are roughly 7,000. The Bureau of Labor Statistics includes small-appliance repair on its list of disappearing jobs. “And I see no trend in them coming back,” says Neil Seldman, president of the Institute for Local Self Reliance, a nonprofit that advocates for environmentally sound and equitable community development. “Manufacturers make products unrepairable. They don’t sell parts because they don’t want people to repair their products.” They want them to buy new stuff.
Although it’s not part of the well-known triad, “repair” partners with “reuse” in the reduce, reuse, recycle hierarchy—and it’s a better option than recycle when it comes to the environment. Why? Because when we repair, we don’t buy new stuff. No matter how “green” it claims to be, manufacturing new stuff almost always requires more energy and materials, and has a greater impact on the environment, than continuing to use something that already exists. Repair also generates less air and water pollution than recycling, leaves behind less hazardous waste, and creates an affordable supply of high-quality goods for those unable to afford new things....Read More

If the shoe fits, get it fixed.

To some people a cobbler is a lovely fruit dessert, best served warm. To others it is a shoemaker who repairs shoes — an almost forgotten trade.
Suddenly, shoe repair is coming back. Big time.
Sales of luxury goods are down, but it's a flush time for people who repair them. High-end cobblers, tailors and jewelers have seen a spike in repair business from frugal customers, thanks to a trend toward fixing goods rather than replacing them. We're quickly moving from a disposable society to one that's learning to mend and repair.
Shoe repair shops nationwide, of which there are only about 7,500 remaining — down by half from a decade ago, are reporting a 20 to 45 percent surge in business. Things are beginning to shift as consumers are learning to make do. And for many, that means getting shoes that fit, fixed.
Footwear isn't just part of your wardrobe, it is an investment. Spend your money wisely and the return will be more value for your dollar, more comfort, better foot health and even a sense that you are helping the environment.
How do you know if shoes are worth repairing? If they were cheap to start with that doesn't necessarily mean you should throw them away once they are worn beyond reason.
Think comfort. If the shoes fit well, you're probably better off repairing them than replacing. The materials used these days to repair shoes are usually three to four times better quality than the original materials in the shoe. And cobblers use the very same materials to repair a $50 pair of shoes as a $325 pair. Once repaired, they really will be better than new. Shoe repair shops take in all kinds of shoes and boots, even Birkenstocks...Read More.

Professional Shoe Repair. Save money, time, and your feet.

Repair, don’t replace!

Shoe repair (aka “cobbling”) is a dying art in today’s age of cheap, replaceable Stuff (as are independent shoe salesmen like those who used to work for Mason Shoes). I found my shop through word of mouth. While I later discovered that they do come up in a Google search for shoe repair shops in my area, it never would have occurred to me that my shoes were salvageable.
Another strategy would be to ask a high-end shoe store whom they recommend for repairs, as that’s how my colleague’s husband found this location. The shop I went to gets a lot of its business because they are an official Birkenstock repair location (and they also repair luggage and anything leather).
I am thrilled to have this store on my radar — not only was the repair fast and inexpensive compared with new shoes, but the fellow who runs the shop is a third-generation owner and operator. I’m not just a happy customer, I’m buying local and supporting a tradition. Read More.

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