SHOE REPAIR IMPORTANT
Creativity often consists of merely turning up what is already there. Did you know that right and left shoes were thought up only a little more than a century ago? ~Bernice Fitz-Gibbon (1894-1982)
UPTOWN . . .
Managed to get out in time to catch the last of the giant snowflakes coming down today before they vanished in the sunshine of this crisp winter day. Walked along the perimeter of the Park, eying the paved footpaths, dark swaths swirling around the grass dusted with freshly fallen snow. Made my way over to Fifth Avenue to check out Bergdorf Goodman’s windows, clever combination of neon and light bulbs with dresses, daring Spring.
Crossing Fifth, Tiffany’s was ablaze in red and white mailboxes and envelopes heralding Valentine’s Day. Jewelry is always a good idea, makes a statement when given. But then, do does something hand-crafted. A macaroni necklace can be precious, given in the right circumstances. Now, a macaroni necklace in a Tiffany’s box would be nothing if not memorable.
. . . DOWNTOWN
After a swim, I ran down to the East Village to pick up my short winter boots that needed repairs to get me through another couple of seasons. They weren’t expensive, but I like them and they are comfortable and, with fleece lining, very warm. Repaired, I was delighted to see that they had been shined! They’ve never looked so good, and I had to struggle to remember the last time a shoemaker had shined shoes brought in for repair. I think my DC shoemaker stopped shining in 1986. Wearing the newly repaired and shined boots feels like they’re brand new!
Not a candidate for big box business, shoemakers are a dying breed. Our conspicuous consumption has gotten us in the habit of simply buying new rather than repairing the old, so finding a good shoemaker is no small achievement. It doesn’t matter that it is pretty far flung for my usual travels; I’ll go out of my way to give a small merchant who does good work my business, and love the journey. It’s fun to discover new places along the new way.
Clip art, straight out of the 50s, graces the business card, with a shoemaker – handsome, smiling and wearing an apron – holding a shoe that is wildly out of proportion. It’s as big as he is! And the card doesn’t even have a telephone number, much less email or website.  When I came in without my claim ticket, the proprietor didn’t give me attitude, he just looked for the boots. After a leisurely search, he found them, and asked me how much he had said he would charge for the repair. I have to recommend him:  AK Shoe Repair 350 East Ninth Street, just off Second Avenue, Open Sunday – Friday, 9am – 6:30pm closed Sat. I’d trust him with my Manolos, if I had any.
