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Haight Street Shoe Repair
Rating Details »
Category: Shoe Repair [Edit]
Neighborhood: Haight-Ashbury1614 Haight Street
(between Belvedere St & Clayton St)
San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 565-6710
- Hours:
Mon. 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Tue-Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
57 reviews for Haight Street Shoe Repair
The boots are not made for walking...
Up and down giant hills...
One of these days these boots are going to have a giant hole in them...
Ok, so my song sucks. But you get the point. My favorite splurge pair of Frye boots had a HUGE hole in the sole. This hole was so big I was embarrassed to have them repaired at first, for fear of being scolded by a shoemaker. But remembering how much I paid for them, I got over that fear real quick and took them to Haight Street Shoe Repair. The owner helped me as soon as I walked into the store, took one look at the shoes, said "No problem, one week, $50." Exactly 1 week later I picked up my shoes, which had beautiful new leather soles and a protective rubber layer on the heel. They were even polished. The boots really looked like new.
Now clearly, if your boots cost $30, it doesn't make sense to pay $50 to get them resoled. But if you have shoes (or bags it sounds like) that you paid a pretty penny for, its DEFINITELY worth taking them here to get a new lease on life.
Please understand that I used to bring all of my shoe to Carlos. He is a really nice man. My only problems is that he has DESTROYED 3 pair of VERY expensive shoes. Not only did I have to come back 3 times to get the shoes since they were not completed when he said that they would be he is also a TERRIBLE listener!!!!
First, I dropped off a pair of Birkenstocks for him to repair since it says in his window specifically "Birkenstocks welcome". Well they went straight into the trash!!! I am not sure how you can screw that up but there was glues all over the tops of the shoes, they were completely flat when i got them back...WTF???? They point of Birkenstocks is the foot support!
Next I brought a pair of boots for him to repair. I got them back with a HUGE slash in them. Carlos insisted that is how i dropped them off. Come on I thin I would have noticed a 3 inch gash in the top of my favorite pair of foot protection.
I was already done using this yahoo to fix my shoes and for some reason my finance took his exceptional leather shoes to him, since we loved just down the street. I warned him of the problems I had had with Carlos but he said that it must have been a fluke since people recommend him so much. He dropped off his VERY EXPENSIVE Italian boots, I was with him and we specifically said DO NOT POLISH THESE BOOTS SINCE THEY HAVE A SPECIAL ANTIQUING on them. I went to pick them up when Carlos said that they would be ready and they weren't so he told me to come back in 2 days. I reminded him not to polish the shoes and he said no problem. When I went back in 2 days the boots were still not ready!!! He told me to come back in a few hours. I did and the brown boots we dropped off were now BLACK. WTF???? I reminded the fool not to polish them, does he even listen??
I would recommend the shoe repair shop on Union Street. They do a fantastic job, even though they are completely across town from where we live.
Tips for using haight street shoe repair:
1) Come with cash. You'll need to pay upfront, cash only.
2) Be patient. They usually need about 10 minutes to find your shoes. A patient smile will get you much further than panicking that they've lost your favorite shoes.
They get the job done, though stepping into the Haight Shoe repair is kind of like stepping back in time a few decades. Cash only and they may need to search high and low for your shoes when you come to pick them up. Each time I've needed a repair it's been for the rubber tip at the bottom of the heel. Each pair is $12.
I give them only 3 stars because even though he is very friendly and kind, I've had to have them repair the heel tip of my boots three times in six months. I asked if they had anything slightly more durable, but they said no. I don't wear them all that often, and it seems to me that the repair should last longer. Otherwise for $72 a year in repairs I could buy a new pair of boots.... but alas they are so nice that instead of trying to find someone farther away who might be able to do a better job, I come back each time anyway. Good customer service goes a long way.
Great job putting new rubber soles/heels on my favorite old boots - they look like new again, and feel great! $50 for the job and I think its worth it. They even touched up the leather for free without me asking. He did need me to point out which shoes were mine, but they were right there and easy to identify. He's old school. I'd definitely go back again. Bring cash!
Even though I lost my fluorescent green ticket, it only took a minute or two to find my boots. Friendly service, quality work, reasonable prices.
I bought a pair of boots in December, and loved them so much I wore them all the time! The only problem was that the soles and heels were slippery. Most of the time I would just slip a little, but a few times, I completely fell down, bag flying in the air and all... super embarrassing, but I love the boots so much, I wore them anyway. Fast forward a few weeks, I took my favorite boots with me to Ireland and slipped my way through my two weeks there (and completely wore out the heel) When I got back home, I knew I had to do something about this, or retire the shoes (and because I loved them, and they were sooo expensive, I decided to do something!)
I had seen this place walking down the street a few times, so thought I would give it a try. I was helped right away and the man behind the counter knew exactly what to do to fix both problems (new heel and re-soled with no skid soles).
I came back a week later, and I haven't slipped sense!! (well, I have, but not the shoes fault :-)
Love the owner, Carlos, he's super nice and welcoming! I bring all of my shoes here and my husbands shoes. Even if they just need to be cleaned. They do a great job replacing soles and fixing whatever on your shoes.
I wont go anywhere else!
Love love love Carlos! He saved my husband from listening to some moron at Jack's downtown who told him his $250 Cole Haan's were unsalvageable/ would cost over $100 to fix. All he needed were new soles and heels. Cost? $45!!
Been coming here for years and will continue to do so. They may take awhile sometimes or temp misplace yr shoes; but cmon people, this is an honest man with an honest business who loves his customers. And we love him back. :D
Recently had a pair of handmade boots and a backpack strap resoled/repaired. Both were done excellently.
They even shined my boots after applying free waterproofing!
Backpack was a bit tricky and they might even have had to hand sew it.
I arrived five days later than when the items were supposed to be ready, and somehow, I think they needed the time. So, I would be a bit flexible in terms of when you need something.
I got to practice my Spanish with the older man who seems to know shoes from heel to toe and loved his cutie head shoemaker in the back. They treated me with nothing but smiles and humor. Very old world feel to the place, as though they are practicing an art.
They only accept cash.
$35 to resole my husbands Birkenstocks (so he can continue to wear them with socks...ugh) and no charge to fix my broken purse strap. They glued and stitched up my purse while I waited and did such a good job that I can't even tell which one it was they fixed! The Birkenstocks were finished on time as promised. Will definitely be coming back in the future.
Carlos indeed!
He fixed my backpack in no-time. The stitches of one of the straps of my backpack had broken, and the other strap was about to experience the same fate. I arrived at opening time (actually 5 minutes before the official opening time), and showed him the problem.
He applied some special glue and then thoroughly stitched the broken strap. After that, he re-inforced the other one; all while I was observing the curiosities in his little shop. After 5 minutes or so, it was all done. It looked as if it had never been broken at all.
Me: "So, how much do I owe you?"
Carlos: "Oh, just three bucks, so I can buy my first coffee of the day."
I gave him the three bucks and was off to work. We'll see how well he did his job, but it looks rigid, and the service was excellent. That alone is worth 5 stars already!
Amazing owner! He repaired my shoes and belt in no time at all, and when I didn't have cash (which is all they take, FYI) he gave me my shoes anyway and told me to "pay tomorrow." WOW and yes, I did go back the following day to cover my tab :)
Do not bring your shoes here. In all my years in San Francisco, this was the worst and most dishonest service I have received. The fact that it took 3 weeks didn't bother me much. Here's what did bother me.
I bought $140 custom made shoes in Buenos Aires. They are only 1 of 12 of that style, made by hand. I brought them to get cleaned and polished. Three weeks later, Carlos said they were ready. When I arrived, he quickly tried to put them in a bag. I took them out to look at, at it seemed as if someone had purposely discolored and otherwise messed up the shoes. There was no effort to clean or polish the shoes that I could see.
When I asked about it, he took out some conditioner and put it on a PAPER towel and started to rub furiously with all of his might until some of the polish came off on the paper towel (which will always happen). I stopped him from destroying it more. He made no offer to compensate me.
I'm pretty cheery when coming into a store, and I take honest errors pretty well. However, this was a blow. First, messing up the shoes so badly. Second, trying to hide it. Third, trying to rationalize it.
Once upon a time while shopping up and down Haight street my flip flop strap broke! as I was limping back to the car with a bare foot passing Carlos on the sidewalk he called me back and offered to fix the flip flop (totally didn't realize there was a shoe repair shop right there)... Anyhow, he fixed my flip flop within 5 min and didn't charge me a cent! Such a nice man and a very good bizman too... I've became a loyal customer since... brought my shoes here for simple repairs many times and I'm totally happy with their work. Beware-- If the work requires complicate alternations make sure to include a note because I'd witnessed some customer's frustration over the work that wasn't done by time of pick up either due to lack of communication or he just forgot what need to be done with the shoes... the man is getting old ;-) Price is not cheap but very reasonable for SF.
See previous post below for reference. So I went today to pick up my boots. I was generous in giving them an additional day from when they said my boots would finally be ready. As I told Carlos what they looked like, I saw the man working in the back pick mine up and quickly shine them and spray tons of high gloss on them. I doubt they had been touched before I entered. And unfortunately they now have a new deep scratch that is probably irreparable. No discount for the extra 6 days it took or for the new scratch. DO NOT TAKE YOUR SHOES HERE. They don't deserve the business.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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5/26/2009
I have been a loyal and frequent customer of Haight St. Shoe Repair for about 2 years now. I mostly… Read more »
I went in to get a pair of boots:
- shined
- re-blackened to like-new state
- new leather soles in black
- water proofed
And a pair of shoes:
- dyed black
They promised the work would be done in one week.
Upon returning, the boots were damaged with a new scratch and some glue stuck to the front, the boots were shined but not reblackened, and the soles were on, but were tan. The shoes hadn't been touched yet.
They said to come back in a week more, and they'd have all the problems fixed. I came back another week later, and the boots now had the soles dyed black, the glue was gone, but the shoes were still not very black, and the black was rubbing off of the new soles. The shoes still had not been dyed.
I took the boots and shoes and brought them to Galletti Shoe Repair, do did everything perfectly the first time.
I will not be going back to Haight Street Shoe Repair.
Really professional service, just like the card says.
It was a warm, sunny day, perfect for a walk outside, so we went over to Haight Street to pick up a pair of shoes. Perfectly repaired, as always.
$45 for heels and half-soles. There's a sign at the cash register that says, "Full Payment in Advance."
First note, and most important: THEY ONLY TAKE CASH. So if you don't want to have to pay annoying non-customer fees at the Haight & Cole Wells Fargo (or get laughed at by the annoying street punks for taking a solid five minutes to figure out that you have to slide your card to get into the ATM area), get cash before you go. Either that or bank at Wells Fargo, I guess.
Moving on: Definitely the little old man at the counter is weird. Kooky, really, might be a better way to describe him. I took in three pairs of shoes, two of which needed the little black plastic heel-tip replaced, and one of which required a bit more work. Leave it to me to choose as my favorite pair the oldest, most decrepit dollar-at-the-Woodland-Thrift-Store-Outlet (actual name of the place where I once purchased a real fur coat for $7.50 plus tax) shoes imaginable. The rubber was just decayed, and I walked through one heel and halfway through the other, and I'd been so afraid to hear that they were irreparable that it took me 11 months to try to get them fixed.
I handed my first two normal shoes to the aforementioned kooky man, and he nodded and smiled. Then, as nervous and embarrassed as a dorky kid delivering an I-Like-You speech to the hot girl he's been in love with since Kindergarten, I showed him my red shoes.
"Do, um, do you think you can fix them," I asked, trying to convey as much desperate hope as I felt through giant Bambi-eyes.
He looked at them, sort of furrowed his brow, and cleared his throat.
"Very old," he replied.
I died a thousand tiny deaths (and NOT in the French way).
"I know," I said, "but they're my favorite shoes and I can't wear them and --"
"Okay, fifteen dollars," he interrupted. Then he took all three pairs, put them in a plastic grocery bag, and filled out a tag.
I can only imagine I wasn't the first shoe-destroyer to walk in and beg for mercy, because I swear he knew the tears that were coming if he'd let me babble on about my love for these shoes. Really, that was for the best -- no one wants to be the girl who cries about her shoes, especially not in public.
One week later, I popped back in to pick up my shoes. I handed him my tag all expectantly, and I swear it took him fifteen minutes to find them; I described the colors, and he looked in every damn bag behind the counter, until finally, finally, finally, he started rummaging around the back and there they were.
"Oh! They changed the tag," he said. He handed me the bag and I looked through it. First pair -- fine. Second pair -- also fine. Third pair -- the red shoes. I looked at them, and glorious day! They had replaced both heels with what the kooky old man described as "good quality rubber: very strong," AND repaired the shoe where I had started walking on it after demolishing the heel.
"Oh my GOSH," I exclaimed, not even trying to tone down the exuberance. Okay, you know what? I squealed. I said "gosh" because I didn't want to offend his old-man sensibilities, and I totally squealed. "These are my favorite shoes and they are perfect," carried on miss loves-her-shoes, "thank you SO MUCH!"
He smiled, and I scooted out of there before I embarrassed myself any further.
I'm working on wrecking another pair of heels, and when they give out I will absolutely bring them back here. I love that man, I love the work, and I would have paid so much more to get my favorite shoes back in better condition than when I bought them. Splendid.
I dropped off some new heart-thumping boots here last night. While I wait for my new lovelies to be perfected and rain-proofed, I thought that I should give my take on the place.
About six months ago, I saw a girl ask the charming little man behind the counter to marry her. I have to admit that I wasn't surprised and that I've been tempted myself. He is an odd, weathered little gentleman with a cute accent who can fix the hell out of my shoes. What girl could resist?
The shop has a certain old world charm. There's the old singer sewing machine in the front and a couple of dainty many-buttoned antique booties in the window. Ironic that this little jem is nestled in the dirty, trashy, vintage, plastic-y new crap jumble of the upper Haight. Another reason that I like it I guess.
I have to be honest, as I left last night I had a moment of panic that they might lose my new boots in the stacks of dusty shelves, but I trust them. And this makes it that much more exciting when they do pull my cute shoes out of the rubble.
As far as craftsmanship, I've been satisfied with all of my requests. The rubber rain-proof soles are always cut beautifully and my heels are always perfect. If you would like for them to stitch a tear, be prepared for them to go over-board. This would be my only minor complaint...if I had been crafty, I probably could have stitched the leather more delicately myself. But would it have lasted? I don't know.
Overall, I do like the service and the charm of the place. Just to get a feel for pricing, rain proof soles are about $20. New heels: $10ish.
They only take cash, are only open until 6pm, and they are closed on Sundays, so plan accordingly.
I really feel bad giving these people a 1 because they are really nice, but seriously! Work with me!
Let me fill you in on the background so you can understand my frustration. I have been looking for boots for TWO years and I lived in Europe where shoe shopping is super fab and still I couldn't find anything. I finally found a pair that fit my calves...almost (apparently I'm disproportionate). So, given the good Yelp reviews I took them here to be taken in and to have another pair of heels re-heeled. Everything was fine and good until I called today.
Brief time-line to spare you the fluff:
- Was told it would take 2 weeks.
- Called back 3 weeks later, but didn't have my ticket and they couldn't find them with my description (fair enough, I needed my ticket)
- Found my ticket. Called back. Was told to call back in 20 minutes so they could search for them.
- Called back in 20 minutes. Re-described my shoes. Was told to call back in 20 minutes.
- Called back in 20 minutes. Was told vaguely that they were ready.
- Showed up to pick them up and my pair of heels was the only thing sitting with my ticket. Walked around the back of the shop searching for boots. Re-described them. Carlos dug through a huge box of boots after having the epiphany of what they looked like and produced the boots - unaltered and with the white chalk alteration marks still on them.
FOR REALS??! ARGH!!! It's almost summer and I won't even be able to wear them!!!!
I took the boots home, chalk marks and all and after another lengthy search, found Anthony's Shoe Service on Geary. The guys took pity on me standing outside looking miserable (they were closed when I got there) but let me come in anyway. Guess who's now doing my boots? Carlos' brother George at A.S.S. (AHAHAH! Wow...horrible acronym for a business.) Ahhh....what a small town this is.
Carlos is my shoe guy. Just stopping in to drop off my heel worn boots makes me happy. He's got the best personality! One can't help but smile when you interact with him.
The details: He's cash only and you can either pay before or after the repair.
Twice, I've brought him my favorite (and only pair) of black leather knee high boots to have the heels repaired and waterproofed for the winter months. And both times, he repaired them perfectly! And he's super cheap! $15 for the repair!
And the most recent time, he was able to bump off one day of labor, having my shoes ready a day earlier than he had originally quoted. Gotta love this man.
If you're on a limited fund and need to have your shoes last you as long as possible, Carlos is your shoe saviour.
EDIT: Today (01.26.07) I bought my shoes in for heel replacement and he was able to fix it in 20 minutes for only $10! Now, that's service!
I just got my shoes back and it feel like I bought brand new ones. Oh Yeah.
$30 will get you half soles and heel soles for your pumps and he'll polish and fix up the rest of the pair.
so go ahead and use and abuse those shoes.
Living in the Upper Haight, I pass by this store front on a regular basis. When passing or entering this store, you are first struck by the fact that it is frozen in time- I doubt anything has changed since it first opened.
The next thing that you will notice is the proprietor of the store. This charming man seems to stand in front of you, pulled directly from a Jean-Pierre Jeunet film.
I have never had this man service any shoes that I own, but have stopped in on occasion to buy laces and other shoe-related items. Its convenience to my location and the candor of the owner make it the first shoe repair store on my list.
How can you not love Carlos? He does an excellent job on repairs, is probably one of the most consistently and genuinely happy people I meet, and his eyes light up if you speak to him with even a smattering of Spanish.
Yes, picking up your shoes is always fun as Carlos tries to find your pair amongst the chaos (and both shoes are not always in one place.) Yes, he only takes cash but despite the "pay in advance" sign, he'll usually let you pay when you pick up. And, most importantly, yes, he does excellent work on your shoes!
There was rumor a few years back that the Haight gentrification was going to see Carlos booted. (Pun intended.) Thankfully, those rumors seem to have been kept at bay. I hope he continues to be a part of the neighborhood for a long time to come.
There's something about an old guy doing business in the same spot for years and years that makes me happy. The first time I went into Haight Street Shoe Repair, I brought a leather motorcycle jacket with a missing snap button. He whipped out a box of snaps and a punch and fixed it in five minutes and wouldn't take my money.
The next time, I brought a different leather jacket with a balky zipper and he replaced the entire zipper for cheap with no evidence. He suckered me in with the freebie but I'm hooked on the quality.
Before you throw away your beloved shoes, because all hope is lost and no one can bring them back from the dead, give Haight Street Shoe Repair a chance!
I didn't think anyone would be able to fix my really old sandals (one of the straps broke) and I was absolutely devastated at the thought of parting with them, so I took my shoes all around town hoping and praying for a miracle. Lo and behold, the little old man on Haight Street fixed my shoes overnight and so far the strap has not broken again (it's been a month)! The price was a little steep ($15), but considering how much I loved my shoes, it was worth it.
I can see why other customers are frustrated, however. There's really no system in place to ensure that you get your shoes back. They kind of just throw your shoes around after they're done fixing it. I'm sure dishonest people will take other people's more expensive shoes, because they can. This probably isn't the best place to leave your Christian Louboutin's and Jimmy Choo's overnight.
I almost rated Carlos 4 stars because he does take a looong time to find my shoes which causes my heart to stop for a moment...but he always finds them and he's so charming. He fixed my heels for 10 bucks very quickly and he was so sweet!
When I caught my lining in the zipper of my favorite handbag, and seriously, could not get the damn fabric out...of...the...damn...grrrr....zipper!!! I brought it to him and he worked for 15-20 minutes and used about 10 tools to get the lining out of the zipper and fix it so I couldn't unzip it too far and catch that same bit of lining again. Anyone who has ever struggled with a stuck zipper will understand my relief. Best of all, when I pulled out my wallet, he said no charge today, I'll see you another day! yay!
I dance Tango and I found these really nice shoes in a thrift store for 10 dollars. They weren't really Tango shoes, but they seemed to be made for me, and I had a party I had to go and needed dancin shoes for the dress I had, so I bought those.
Now, it turns out that I absolutely ruined the shoes, lost one heel, and basically crushed the other one. ( I danced too much that night and the shes weren't made for it). I absolutely did not want to throw them away, so I searched for a shoe repair and came up with this one store. Based on all the reviews I read here, i took the poor shoes, expecting the famous cute old man to laugh at me. But instead, he took the shoes and said: " I used to dance Tango too. I can convert these shoes in Tango shoes for you". I knew it was going to cost a lot more than the shoes themselves, but seriously, after seeing (and trying) the results, i would pay the same money again with no arguments. I am very, very happy with the job!
And everyone is right about the owner. He's the sweetest old man. :-)
I'd been meaning to get a pair of my heels fixed for forever. They're these beautiful black satin, pointy-toe stiletto heels... Whose toe I had stubbed the first time I wore them. And I also broke off the heel tip.
Of course I wait until the Thursday before the Saturday that I need to wear them to bring them in. I first took them to the shoe repair place at West Portal. The guy there was rude, so I left. Then I headed to Haight Street.
For starters, the Haight Street place was busy. And there were two guys working there. And the guy at the counter, Carlos, was super friendly.
First, he chastised me for ruining such beautiful shoes. I know. I know. And then he said I should bring my shoes to him after I buy them to put some protective thing on them. Got it.
And then he says he'll do the same repairs (leather half sole, new heel tips) that the guy at the West Portal shop will do but for less ($22). Nice.
Then he asks when I need them done. I say Saturday. He says, "Ah, party on Saturday?" I laugh.
He's so nice and friendly. I fell in love with him. I asked where he's from. He says El Salvador. So, being the worldly girl I am, I introduce myself in Spanish. He runs out from behind the counter and hugs me. He asks me where I learned Spanish and we chat. I really can't understand everything he says because he's talking so fast, but I get the gist.
My boyfriend picked up my shoes on Saturday. Carlos isn't exactly the best at math. My boyfriend gave him $30, and Carlos was trying to figure out the change. My boyfriend says "ocho". Carlos smiles and laughs. I love him (my boyfriend, too).
There's something so nice about happy people!
I like the fact that I can walk from my house to Carlos' shop in a matter of seconds. This is definitely a plus in my book. However, the time that it takes to get the shoes back is another deal. I mean he has done great work on all of my shoes and I am forever in debt to him but his scheduling is kinda out of wack.
I brought in a pair of little kitten heel shoes that kept losing the sole from the heel. I had those shoes repaired many other times at various locations and it never held. Haight St. Shoe Repair made a solid repair that's held up for months and is still going strong. The cost was great too. As long as I live in SF I will have my shoes and leathers repaired here. They can count me in as a loyal customer.
My favorite blue Stacy Adams shoe is virtually nonexistent anymore, I cannot find it; so in order to preserve the pair that I have, I went to this cobbler to get the sole fixed. Other Shoe-repair store estimated me over a hundred dollars, but the haight store fixed me up for $45. This was very fortuitous as my shoe was originally worth $75.
The kind owner even gave me a free waterproof coating and a baggie to carry the shoes in. Its the little things that matter to me.
Excelent service, and right price.
This place is the absolute best place to get shoes repaired.
Is it still appropriate to say "cobbler"? Cause it makes me really happy to say it. :)
Carlos will take great care of your shoes and he can work miracles. He is sweet and hardworking and def deserves your business. He has fixed my fave heels and boots over and over again... Making them brand new for only ten bucks a pop.
Great service!! I didn't even take shoes here, I took one of my very favorite purses, a black vintage leather purse from the 80's. The strap was coming off. Carlos (whose name I know from the other reviews) was able to repair it and made it stronger than it was before. Repair meant that he had to rip up the lining and resew it. I could barely tell. He did a great job, and it was only $12!
Carlos is amazing. He has a great energy to him, and it shows in his work, which is really top notch. I brought in a 40 yr old leather handbag, and he managed to reattach the strap, taking the time to find an exact color match for a really tiny extra piece of leather it needed - its that kind of attention to detail that is really hard to find.
The prices are great too. He's even managed to repair my precious cowboy boots to mint condition, fixing a tear in the side that I was told couldn't be fixed.
I wish I spoke Spanish, just so I could be his friend.
My parents own a store down the street from this shoe repair, but this is the first time I've been here! The stitch on my motorcycle backpack busted and I needed a quick fix. I headed to HSSR hoping the owner could help me out. When I walked in, I felt..."cozy". The place is super old school - hand painted signs, old shoes everywhere, light bulbs with no shades or covers, a strong odor of shoe polish and elbow grease, and an ancient black Singer sewing machine. I didn't have to say much. I showed him the backpack and gave him a sad face. He said, "I'll have it fixed right away, my dear". He sits down at the sewing machine, pumps a few stitches into the busted straps, and viola! My backpack is BETTER than new. What's even better, he only charged me "a cup of coffee". I gave him a $5. He insisted on giving me change, but that wasn't gonna happen. I let him keep the whole bill and went on my merry way.
the guy here has some odd styling going on (me too, I guess), but don't be fooled: He's about to get medieval on your shoe's asses. For 20 bucks he resoled my birkenstocks in one week's time. Usually this costs 35+. The secret: he just resoled the heel, not the whole sole. But they're good as new. Now I'm saving the earth one step at a time like a true smug SF dipshit wearing birkenstocks (they're comfortable, so piss off).
Carlos is the man.. I love his upbeat attitude and thick accent that you can barely understand. Brought in 2 pairs of super strappy heels that had lost a strap or two and they were back to new within a couple of days. $16.00 is way more budget friendly than $300.00 for two new pairs, ya feel me?
I had a pair of my favorite shoes that had been cracked along the sole and some of the stitching was pulled out on top. Carlos gave a look, knew what to do, and told me I didn't have to pay until I came back. I left a deposit anyway. Two weeks later I came back and the soles were fixed perfectly (even on the good shoe!) but dear Carlos forgot the stitching - but ten minutes later they looked good as new! Thanks Carlos!!
Funky, check. But great service and fair prices. I've been going to see Carlos for years and he's always on his game - I've never shown up with a pair of shoes he could not save.
