B. Nelson Shoes (Midtown East).
140 East 55th Street.
New York. NY. 10022.
(212) 245-0396.
www.bnelsonshoes.com
Discerning Clientele: Luxury shoemakers Salvatore Ferragamo and Church’s recommend B. Nelson to their bespoke clients for repairs.
Considered the gold standard in shoe repair by many menswear boutiques, B. Nelson Shoes was established by European cobbler Bernhard Nelson more than a century ago with a devotion to old world techniques and high quality materials. Today, company owner and President Nick Valenti works hard to uphold the standards established by Nelson. Every shoe brought into B. Nelson for resoling is subjected to a 19-step process, which includes fitting the shoe with a wooden last (as opposed to metal jacks) to maintain shape during repair, removing and replacing the old sole and cork footbeds, and replacing welts and heels when necessary. By imitating the process the factory used to create the shoe in the first place, B. Nelson’s technique ensures you end up with a sole that’s as good as new. A standard resoling will cost you $75 to $95 and take 10 to 14 days to complete.
Jim’s Shoe Repair (Midtown East).
50 East 59th Street.
New York. NY. 10022.
(212) 355-8259.
www.jimsshoerepair.com
Beyond Shoes: Jim’s Shoe Repair can repair almost anything made out of leather, whether or not it’s a pair of shoes.
Jim’s Shoe Repair has been salvaging New Yorkers’ footwear since 1932. The shop’s current owner, Jim Rocco, inherited the business from his father, and though well into his eighties, Mr. Rocco can still be found behind the counter each day making sure service adheres to his high standards. This is truly a cobbler’s shop frozen in time, unchanged since the day it opened, and the prices match the décor. Stretching out a pair of pinching shoes will cost you under $10, heel repair runs $15-$20, and complete resoling is around $70. But don’t be surprised if you see Upper East Side socialites lined up at the shop clutching designer bags—Jim’s also has a reputation for repairing just about anything leather, including high-end handbags. One unique service that they offer is reinforcing a new pair of shoes to extend its life, even if it means less business for them in the future.
Cesar’s Shoe Repair (Chelsea).
180 Seventh Avenue.
New York. NY. 10011.
(212) 961-6119.
www.cesarsshoerepair.com
Discerning Clientele: America’s Next Top Model, Law and Order, Louis Vuitton.
In 1976, Cesar Andrade established Cesar’s Shoe Repair at the corner of 16th St and 7th Ave, and 30 years later, Cesar’s is still family run and in the same location. At the shop’s nearby workshop, an assembly line increases efficiency: while one craftsman works the bench, another sands, and another shines and buffs. That efficiency, combined with modern technology and a large staff, allows for an amazing turnaround time—less than a day in most cases. Cesar’s tradition of hiring shoemakers (as opposed to just repairmen) continues to this day, and means the store can make difficult and unusual repairs. Prices range from $18 for a re-whitening of suede bucks to $75 for the Platinum Package overhaul which includes a complete re-soling, waterproofing, and polish.
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I would add James Custom Shoe Repair at Lexington & 93. Nick has been re-crafting fine shoes on the UES of Manhattan for 40 years, a better man to trust your favorite shoes with would be hard to beat.
Great post, thanks.
This is an interesting best of list, nice to include shops from downtown to midtown. For us fashion setters in know, it is important to share that B. Nelson closed down a few years ago, the online business continues and the work is done in cooperation with VIP shoe repair in Midtown.
Jim’s is still doing there thing after all these years and keeps the shoe repair biz looking good and artful indeed, they will fix anything!
Cesar’s is just an off-shoot from the Andrade chain stores, so nothing special but quick repairs that satisfy the basic needs.
I learned of Jame’s Shoe Repair from being a long time client at A. Testoni, they are authorized to repair for the Testoni company, that says something about them. I tried them many years ago and the work is superior and done in the actual shop by the owner and not sent to a factory outside the city. Try them for your finest shoes and favorites for sure. Best in class for sure!