by Joe Wilhelm Jr.
Staff Writer
Used cars aren’t the only form of recycled transportation that has seen an increase in sales. People are also turning to shoe repair shops to recondition their worn out shoes instead of buying new pairs.
Gus and Company on North Laura Street has experienced a 25 percent increase in business compared to the same time last year, with both men’s and women’s shoes filling the space in the repair shop at an equal pace. They take in about 150 pairs of shoes a day for repair along with coats and luggage.
“The people in the banking and financial industries have been hit pretty hard by the current state of the economy,” said Greg Vaccaro, owner of Gus and Co. “They are trying to save money any way they can and reconditioning a pair of shoes is a better alternative to buying new.”
Cost and comfort are two of the reasons Vaccaro feels the shop has seen an increase in business. Dress shoes from recognizable companies like Florsheim and Rockport, for men, and Anne Klein and Kenneth Cole, for women, sell for an average price of $100, so maintaining shoes is a wise investment.
“Once people find a comfortable shoe, they want to keep it,” he said. “Adding a new sole helps them do that.”
Two tips that can help people tell when they need to see a cobbler were offered by Gus and Co. manager Tony Verile.
“Look to see if one side is wearing more than another and press on the middle of the sole to feel if it is soft,” he said. “If it is, then the sole needs to be replaced because the shoe isn’t providing support.”
Some precautions can be taken to delay a visit to Gus and Go. as well. Protective sole and heel plates are recommended for new shoes to extend their life.
“They can be added when you purchase the shoe or after they have been worn for a little while,” said Charles Margolin, of Walsh Shoe & Boot Sales and Service on Cesery Boulevard. “You want to pay attention to the wear on your shoes. If they get 30-40 percent worn they need to get protective soles, because once they wear down about 50 percent, they aren’t properly supporting the foot anymore.”
Glenn Perry, of Venetia Barber Shop & Shoe Repair on Roosevelt Boulevard is waiting for business to pick up. He has been at the Ortega location for about six months, so he can’t compare the work he is doing now to what might have been done last year.
“It’s kind of up and down right now,” said Perry, who has been doing shoe repair for about 10 years, but just started at the Venetia this year. “I expect it to pick up after the holidays.”
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