Shoe Fashion

The Benefits of Shoe Repair

Category: Shoe Repair - Tags: , ,

Whether it’s the cold months of winter or the hot times of summer, inclement weather will continuously abuse those boots, shoes and sandals, not to mention your outlook on life. What can you do counter the moves of dysfunctional seasons? Well, I can’t mend your well being, but for all your footgear, I recommend a trip to the shoe repair shop. Why? Well, let’s take a quick leap back to the 1980s.

It was realized some twenty-five years ago that many of the tried and true methods of leather care and repair, considered reliable for more than a century, needed to be reevaluated and updated. It began with the craft of shoe repair, and the first of many while-you-wait services, from the Heel Bar to Instant Shoe Repair, were strategically situated in the heart of America’s big-city shopping malls. The concept behind these new types of shops was to broaden the appeal of this repair business by making it more accessible with a new, sharper image.

At the same time, thanks in part to lower prices, leather garment purchases began escalating, and steps were taken to fully grasp this sensation. In 1990, the New York-based Leather Apparel Association (LAA) (www.leatherapparelassociation.com) was founded, a trade organization designed to interact with a variety of leather garment businesses, from the care-oriented establishment to major importers. LAA was also the first information medium for consumers.

Overall, what grew out of those speculative years transformed the way the leather care and shoe repair industries think today. In most cases, anyway.

As each industry made strides in updating its structure and message, there were those individuals in the shoe repair world who didn’t want change. It’s the classic “mom and pop” business story, with the most up-to-date technology and research available to lead the way toward modernization. However, there wasn’t a corporate big dog breathing down their necks to bully them into altering their methods, altering their look, and if you were to visit these independent stores today, it might feel as if you had been transported back in time.

The shoe repair craft is very different from most businesses. It is one that’s independent, with no two establishments alike, the experience of the crafts person determining the overall workload. Even shoe repair franchise companies, such as the 700 plus strong Heel Quik!, operating under the same business name and image, don’t offer the exact type of service at each of their locations.

Is this a bad thing? As the years passed and the various segments of the leather care and shoe repair industries continued to grow and modernize their features, or remained static and steadfast in their beliefs, as some cobblers did, gaining new customers regardless of what the experts claimed, shoe repair remains a prosperous venture for the consumer.

Still not satisfied you should visit a shoe repair shop? What if the U. S. government thought it was advantageous to your health? The following statement was taken in part from a proclamation entered into the Congressional Record:

“Over time, a natural, custom fit of the shoe is created by continual wear. A natural, custom fit has orthopedic advantages by distributing the body weight evenly, thus enhancing your walk, providing comfort and contributing to your overall health. With frequent repair of your shoes, you maintain the balance between a new shoe look and the familiar feel of broken-in comfort.”

Still not sure? The shoe repair shop has a lot to offer. Whether it’s the traditional form of the business, birthed in the shoe making factories of late 19th century America, or the mall-influenced style of shoe repair, catering to the on-the-go consumer, the shoe repair shop could be called a “one-stop super center” for all your leather care needs. Why?

A pair of men’s or women’s shoes or boots (any brand is repairable) can be renewed at a fraction of the cost of purchasing a new pair. And if those shoes or boots are periodically cleaned and reconditioned, as well as protected from the elements, you can expect at a decade or more of serviceable wear. That’s money in your pocket!

Plus, hundreds of other types of goods–leather, synthetic, or otherwise–can be renewed. For instance, straps and seams can be re-sewn or replaced on book bags and other items; zippers can be repaired or replaced in handbags and numerous other articles; and most types of luggage and brief cases can have new parts installed. Some repair centers even service leather garments, or go so far as to repair items like tents and umbrellas. And you’re not just repairing, you’re recycling.

On top of reviving all of your personal, business and leisure goods, the shoe repair shop carries myriad leather care products to keep your investments looking their best, plus stocks a variety of accessory items, from insoles to shoe laces to gift items. Some shoe repair shops have even incorporated tailoring and monogramming into their lineup of services.

Ok, your convinced. You’ve cleaned out the closets and your arms are full of the family’s footgear. But how do you locate a shoe repair shop? Well, some patrons choose a repair service based on a business’s proximity to work or home, or a friend refers a specific location, which is probably an indication of quality workmanship. But like discovering an automotive service you can trust, you may have to go out of your way to visit a repair center that believes in excellence.

If a particular business hasn’t been recommended, check a telephone directory’s advertising pages under one of the following headings: Leather cleaning; leather goods; leather goods repairing; luggage repair; shoe repair; or shoe shining. There are online services available too, such as www.ssia.info/ offering a shoe repair shop locator. Online home of Shoe Service Institute of America (SSIA), the trade association for the shoe repair industry, the site also has a question and answer forum where you can talk to crafts people from around the world.

You’ve located a shoe repair shop and it’s even close to work, but beware. Some proprietors, harbor the belief that quality work is the only key to a successful business–their shops appear as if Messy Marvin is a permanent resident—and this is the one aspect of the repair craft that has plagued the industry’s image for years. If you happen to visit one of these shops, don’t allow shop appearance to interfere with your decision to utilize their services. Some of the country’s finest craft people operate these 1930s throwback businesses. And you’ll find that repair centers with image appeal may produce work with less than satisfactory results.

And what type of job quality should you expect? All completed repair work should be as close to like-new as possible. There are exceptions, like when a puppy chooses to have romping good time with the toes of your favorite boots, and the result is footgear with missing parts. In this instance, the crafts person should still be able to work wonders, but may have to alter the style of the boot, such as capping the toes.

Well, the leaves have gotten more colorful and the spring blooms are beginning to flirt with our sense of pride, and that inclement weather edges ever closer. See those shoes you’ve kicked off. They might very well be begging for a trip to the shoe doctor. Luckily, those shoes of yours won’t need an appointment, just a few days rest from your busy lifestyle. They’ll thank you for the trip. So will your feet.

Mail Order Shoe Repair Service:

As odd as it may sound, the business of mail order repair has grown considerably over the last ten years, with premium footwear manufacturers leading the way. Many shoe repair shops across the country are offering mail order repair too, but with a variety of leather goods in mind. It should be noted that it takes two weeks or longer to receive a completed order.

A listing of a few brand-name manufacturers that offer a repair service follows, and be sure to look over their guarantees.

And a couple of the regular guys:

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