A visit to the cobbler

10 September 2013

I have a favorite pair of shoes. They’re from Target, and I’ve had them for about seven years now. They’re a shade in between black and brown that goes with everything, they have low heels so they’re comfortable to walk in, and they have a pointed toe that looks polished but doesn’t pinch. Perfection! Except for the fact that the heels have been completely ground down over the years, leaving only the head of a nail poking out. I’ve tried to replace them with a similar pair several times, but never found a fit or look I loved.

Eventually, it occurred to me that I might be able to have the heels replaced. I wasn’t even sure if cobblers still existed (turns out they do), and I thought that even if they did, they’d probably think I was crazy for wanting to fix a beat up pair of Target shoes, but I figured it was worth a shot. A quick search on Yelp turned up a highly-rated shop (H&H in Cameron Village, for my local peeps). I explained to the man behind the counter what I wanted, and he promised they’d be ready in three days. And they were! I picked them up the next week, and for $11.30, I had a greatly improved pair of heels. Don’t get me wrong, they’re still seven-year-old shoes, but I’m no longer embarrassed when I flash the soles, and I don’t go clickety clack whenever I walk.

heels-fixed-by-cobbler

Fixing something I already own and love instead of spending time and money searching for something I might love less? That’s a major win in my book. Have y’all ever visited a cobbler? Do you have a seven-year-old pair of shoes you adore?

P.S. The next shoe adventure in store? I really want to dye my white wedding shoes black, but am clueless on where to start.

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September 10, 2013 1:40 pm

I’m wearing a pair of Tod’s riding boots my mama and I bought in high school–thank to the talents of my cobbler, they’re still going strong!

Laura
September 10, 2013 1:56 pm

I have a pair of Nine West boots that I bought about 9 years ago. They are my favorite pair of shoes, but needed some zipper repair (one shoe wouldn’t zip anymore) last year. After getting a recommendation from a co-worker for a cobbler in my area, they were fixed and ready to go for less than $10. I was so glad I didn’t have to give them up!

September 10, 2013 2:50 pm

I would check out Manmur on Hillsborough Street too!
I’ve taken my shoes (and Brandon’s) to both places and I’m partial to Manmur. They’re super nice, quick and cheap! H&H isn’t bad for small things, but they can definitely get pricing when resoling shoes, etc.

Shelby
September 10, 2013 2:53 pm

Hah, I have those Target shoes and had the same exact problem! Looks like I need to find an ATL cobbler!

Peggy
September 10, 2013 4:16 pm

I would take they ones you want dyed to the place that just fixed your shoes!

Rob
September 10, 2013 9:29 pm

Looks as if they did a good job…

September 11, 2013 10:13 am

I have re-heeled my favorite pair of black pumps twice. Best $ I have spent to extend the life of one of my go-to dressy shoes. I plan to resole my cowboy boots again and again when the time comes.

Wanda
September 12, 2013 9:23 am

I got a pair of vintage cowboy boots about 7 years ago. They were awesome, but the heels wore really strangely and every time I wore them, I’d slip and fall somehow. For my Christmas present two years ago, my boyfriend secretly stole my boots and got them re-heeled! Such a smart and sweet gift :)

January 19, 2014 6:57 pm

When I was 20 my two best friends got married. To make it easy on the bridal parties they had the same shoes, and we dyed them in between weddings. One was red, the next was black. This was 2006, but David’s Bridal did it for $20. Totally worth it.