Home › Forums › WSB Reader Recommendations › Wanted: Excellent shoe cobbler
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April 17, 2008 at 4:57 pm #586778
BookGalParticipantIn case you don’t know what a shoe cobbler is: someone who repairs/maintains footwear and leather goods. A great pair of boots will last decades with the right cobbler – I know, I’ve been going to an amazing one who has managed to salvage, fix, and keep my shoes and boots looking great for years. But the bus commute is a bit much.
Is there a shoe cobbler in West Seattle, near the Junction, Morgan, or Admiral areas (that I can get to via bus/walking)? I am looking for high quality, reasonable prices, and that they will guarantee their work. Or, am I asking for the moon?
Thanks!
April 17, 2008 at 5:38 pm #622340
AnonymousInactivePeggysue, you are asking for the moon. My friend is an old fashioned cobbler out of Canyon Park in Bothell. He’s been doing it since he was a boy and learned from a master before him. He’ll be approaching retirement in the next 5-10 years or so. Been searching for an apprentice forever. Very frustrated in the lack of desire in people to learn a skilled trade.
I think he told me the only other shops on his level is one on Capital Hill and one somewhere near Southcenter. Once in awhile you can find the quickie-mart franchise version of shoe repair, but it’s just not the same.
And then, there’s the customers who don’t understand that a quality pair of shoes can last a lifetime. They see a $20-$25 repair fee as being the cost of a new pair. However, it’s a new pair that will last a month.
In any case, next time I see him I’ll ask if there’s anybody closer. They seem to all know each other.
April 17, 2008 at 6:17 pm #622341
hopeyParticipantIt would be great to know about the one “near Southcenter” at least… I’ve had favorite shoes re-soled before, and would like to have the info on hand in case I need that again.
April 17, 2008 at 7:11 pm #622342
rs261MemberThere is one on 42nd right across from safeway. (Around the corner from Rocksport, close to the nail salon) I dont know how good he is, but I believe my wife took shoes to him one day, and I didnt hear any cursing about him…
April 17, 2008 at 7:30 pm #622343
RonMParticipantAdmiral Shoe Repair
4215 SW Admiral Way
Seattle, WA 98116
Phone: (206) 935-4945
Have had resoles and new heels done here on conventional leather shoes and a regluing a pair of those fancy Nike shoes.
Have had good results and the service wasn’t cheap, but then I expect to have to pay for a skilled service. Still a good value if the only choice is to throw away and buy new.
April 17, 2008 at 8:04 pm #622344
BernickiMemberI take my shoes to Admiral Shoe Repair. I think their prices are quite reasonable, and I’ve never had a problem with the work.
April 18, 2008 at 1:26 am #622345
KatherineLParticipantI just had two pairs of shoes resoled at Admiral Shoe Repair. Nice job. I specifically asked him if he did other kinds of repairs. There were some leather handbags hanging there, too. He said yes, he does mending, too. One warning, though: he doesn’t take credit or debit cards. Only cash or checks. And he likes you to pay up front.
April 18, 2008 at 1:53 am #622346
AdmiralJanewayParticipantI tried Admiral Shoe Repair for the first time late last year. I was satisfied with the job they did.
April 18, 2008 at 3:33 am #622347
JeraldParticipantAnother yes for Admiral Shoe Repair.
November 22, 2008 at 8:31 pm #622348
KittyCatParticipantThanks for the postings, guess I will try Admiral too. I live around the junction and because of the convenience have taken shoes for repair at the 42nd street shop called Ron’s Cobbler Shop. The service is poor the man behind the counter does not like answering questions or something, gets irritated everytime i asked a question (question like can you make it the same color is not a silly question, is it?). The last time i was there he made a mistake stitching my leather boots at the wrong place and now i cant take off the stitches because of marking on the boots. No apologies or at least show signs of being sorry. Service is important but hey if you dont like talking to me just get the job done correctly and I will be all happy. Dont think i am asking for too much, but this shop provides neither service nor quality so Admiral, I am on my way … =)
November 23, 2008 at 9:03 am #622349
KevinParticipantI agree with KittyCat about the guy on 42nd. I was not impressed. Guess I will try Admiral, the next time I need service.
November 23, 2008 at 9:59 am #622350
acemotelParticipantWe found the very excellent Dave Page Cobbler http://www.davepagecobbler.com/ 3509 Evanston Avenue North in Fremont 632-8686 at Puget Sound Consumers’ Checkbook. It’s the only shoe repair we use any more.
November 24, 2008 at 5:10 am #622351
dustinParticipantAnother vote for Admiral Shoe Repair. The guy is a serious leather master and is meticulous. Don’t be put off by the cash only and up front quirk, the results speak for themselves. He totally saved my favorite pair of dress shoes.
November 24, 2008 at 5:37 pm #622352
mrhinehMemberDave Page is the best cobbler in the PNW. REI has used him for over 25 years and he used to do all of their repairs (too much volume now). He can be rock shoes, hiking boots, casual shoes. You can have 5.11 rubber, Vibram, and original manufacturer (I know he has done Rocsport, Clark and some other vendors). Take the trip to Freemont, he is well worth it and makes your boots brand new (yes, he dones scree collars, tongues and custom work.)
December 20, 2008 at 3:25 am #622353
BookGalParticipantThanks for the suggestions. I will try Admiral Shoe Repair.
May 8, 2009 at 6:56 pm #622354
sonjabMemberI agree: the cobbler on 42nd across from Safeway is such a curmudgeon that I won’t go back. That said, prepaing and cash only at Admiral is not acceptable either. Am still looking. Any suggestions?
May 8, 2009 at 8:02 pm #622355
IrukandjiParticipantThumbs up for Admiral Shoe repair. He’s been keeping my now-discontinued boots alive for YEARS – I’ve had them resoled twice, and have had him add industrial soles to more feminine shoes, all with great results.
May 8, 2009 at 10:34 pm #622356
ElliottParticipantI have been using ron’s cobbler near the junction, west of jefferson square. I get dress-shoes resoled and re-heeled on a regular basis. I have been very happy with the work done there. The fellow that runs the shop for the owner is eastern European and very good (the owner once told me that his employee grew up in a communist country and all of his education was directed towards learning shoe construction – basically
a college degree in shoe construction).
I highly recommend Ron’s.
May 9, 2009 at 2:29 pm #622357
BigRedMemberI love Admiral Shoe repair as well. I am getting the heals on my favorite knee-high boots repaired as we speak. Not a big deal about the cash only.
May 10, 2009 at 4:38 am #622358
cMembermy husband has been taking his shoes to Admiral shoe repair for about 5yrs. We are happy with them.
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