cheapbag214s
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 Posted: Tue 5:05, 03 Sep 2013 Post subject: Robert Perry is a saviour for lost soles |
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Robert Perry is a saviour for lost soles
He is the smiling, jovial man behind the counter at Novelty Shoe Rebuilders on Yonge Street. The shop has earned a reputation for giving new life to just about any old shoe.
In an age when there is a bounty of cheap shoes readily available,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], making it easy to wear and discard rather than repair, this shoemaker shop, around since 1932, continues to serve a range customers - from celebrities to stylists to the costume department at the National Ballet of Canada.
Since owner Paul Abate, 90,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], retired,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], it is Perry, 50, who customers have come to love for restoring their treasured footwear back to Cinderella-like condition.
We went sole-searching with Perry one morning this week as he dealt with a steady flow of customers,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych].
Q: It's really busy here. In an age when you can get a pair of shoes for little money,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], why do people bother repairing shoes?
A: It's the comfort factor. People don't want to get rid of a comfortable shoe. But as you get mature, your foot does not remain the same. You have a little corn here, a bunion there and we can create extra pockets in the shoes so they can continue wearing this comfortable shoe.
Also people bring their treasured and premium shoes to be repaired. They don't want to take it somewhere and have it butchered. You want it rebuilt to original factory specifications. We are highly respected amongst our peers because I'm finding now that our competitors are sending us customers because they don't have the machinery to do the job,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]. But most of the time the machine is only 50 per cent of the job; it's the man behind the machine,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]. You don't take your Mercedes Benz to Canadian Tire. You go to the dealership to have it looked at properly,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych].
Q: What's the weirdest thing someone brought in,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]?
A: We do more than shoes. The theory over the years is if Novelty cannot do it,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], no one can do it. I had a customer who came in with a stuffed pig where the tail was missing. I had to hand sew the tail back on the pig.
A: We also have a young following and they are crazy about the Ugg boots but they have to realize those boots are meant to be worn in cold weather not in the slush,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], snow and salt. That drives me crazy. When they come in with the boots in that condition,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], it is basically ruined. And their expectation of us is to bring it back to its original condition. It's very tough.
Q: Do young people want to get into this business,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]?
A: It's considered a dying art. But one has to realize that people are still walking. And once you're walking you're going to need your shoes repaired. It's like everything else - it's very tough to get a plumber or electrician to come to your house these days. In this business it's a dying art but there is still a need. We can't all be doctors and lawyers. There is still a need for the shoemaker, the plumber, the barber.
Q: What happens when you retire one day,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych]?
A: I'm in good standing with the Pope! Young people don't want to get their hands dirty. They would rather be out there doing computer stuff. This is a job that calls for dedication. If you're not willing to be dedicated to it,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], I say find a job with the government.
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