Diesel black slouchy boots with buckle. John's Shoe Repair replaced the soft sole.

Boots are special. Boots are in your closet for a long time. They develop personality. And when boots develop holes in the soles, you get sad. You need a shoe cobbler, but shoe cobblers are a dying breed. Except in 2009 when the Wall Street Journal did a story on how shoe cobblers were on the rise because people were getting their shoes resoled during the Recession instead of buying new shoes. This resurgence of the shoe cobbler may not have been long-lasting, but the spotlight on a trade like shoe cobblering was appreciated. Then in 2010, the same Wall Street Journal reporter did an article on online shoe cobblers. She shipped worn out shoes to four different shoe repair shops, and got resoled shoes back in the mail.

Well folks, we have a local shoe cobbler right here in Beacon on Main Street - John's Shoe Repair. John's Shoe Repair will certainly bring your shoe back to life. And they may even secure your denim or leather bag straps, if your own sewing machine cannot handle such heavy fabric. You have probably seen the shoe cobbler on Main Street. They are right next to Zora Dora's or the winter pop-up shop version, Cherry Bomb. I have had several shoes and a bag fixed by them, and have been pleased each time. In fact, if I wasn't pleased, I feel certain that I could bring the item back for repair. Even though boots are very important to me, what is more important at times is a secure purse. I bought a designer denim purse that actually slipped out of its buckle every time I carried it, causing it to slip off my shoulder. Solution? Shoe Cobbler John stitched the straps permanently in place, and it currently serves as my gym bag.

A little tip when using John's Shoe Cobbler: be very precise with what you want. If you want stitching done on a purse strap, for instance, and you know that a certain color thread would look best, then tell them to use that color thread. If you need an elastic loop replaced on a shoe to secure a button, request a color that was the previous color or close to it. Seems obvious, but sometimes repair shops are focused on fixes, not fashion. :)

Imitation Frye Boots. Got 'em at DSW in NYC years ago. Beacon's Shoe Cobbler has replaced the soles and fixed.

Denim slouchy bag. Beacon Shoe Cobbler stitched the purse strap and handles in place.

John's Shoe Repair is at 209 Main Street, Beacon.