A business that was started Downtown almost 60 years ago and relocated to San Jose 12 years ago has returned with the opening this week of Vitello Shoe Repair & Sandal Factory at the Landing.
Bill and Lynn Fernandez offer complete shoe and luggage repair services as well as handmade leather belts and accessories.
“If it’s made of leather, we can make it better,” he said.
Fernandez said his father first went into the shoe repair business in the mid-1950s when he leased space in Cohen Brothers department store. In 1957, he opened his own store, Bill’s Shoe Repair, along West Adams Street near Laura Street.
Fernandez said his father died 42 years ago and his mother kept the business going, at first Downtown and then in San Jose.
He learned the craft from his father and maintains the family tradition.
“When it comes to shoes, if it can be fixed, I can fix it,” Fernandez said.
The couple chose their location at the Landing because they wanted to return to the Downtown neighborhood, where there are plenty of potential customers.
“Everybody Downtown wears shoes,” he said.
Fernandez expects that being within walking distance of two large hotels, the Hyatt and the Omni, will be an asset for the other side of the business – selling handmade sandals that are manufactured in the shop.
The sandals are available in all sizes, widths and colors, including combinations associated with high school, college and professional sports teams.
Fernandez said shoes are shined free on Wednesdays and to celebrate returning to Downtown, there’s a 50-percent discount on all repairs through Aug. 4.
Vitello is open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday. For the complete list of available services, visit vitellosandalfactory.com.
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