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Boston's Best Cobbler?

Joel_Cairo

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from this thread:
Originally Posted by RIDER
Every town has at least one guy who has been around for awhile, and knows how to re-build good shoes... Find him and patronize his shop
Anybody know who this gentleman might be in the Boston area?
 

Dan-

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I have been told that there is a fellow on Charles Street in Beacon Hill who is excellent. He's under? a laundry place and is apparently unfriendly but does a terrific job. He's won Best in Boston for years.
 

Joel_Cairo

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Originally Posted by drink8648
Waban Shoe Repair, Waban MA ( Waban is a village of Newton which is west of Boston )

The only person to take good shoes to.

Gary


Is this in the T area by that Starbucks? (I lived in Waban till I was 10)
 

josepidal

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***bump***

How do you get to this guy from Harvard Square or Porter Square? How much are his costs and what does he do?

Is there anyone in the Harvard or Porter Square area who can do much simpler maintenance, such as attach rubber protectors or sell you shoelaces?

And where's the best shoeshine in Boston?
 

Joel_Cairo

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Originally Posted by josepidal
***bump***

How do you get to this guy from Harvard Square or Porter Square? How much are his costs and what does he do?


I live right between harvard and porter. Take the red line in to Park Street, switch to the green outbound D line, get off at Waban. He's right there on the other side of the parking lot, but he closes early (3 or so)
 

dkzzzz

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Originally Posted by josepidal
***bump***

How do you get to this guy from Harvard Square or Porter Square? How much are his costs and what does he do?

Is there anyone in the Harvard or Porter Square area who can do much simpler maintenance, such as attach rubber protectors or sell you shoelaces?

And where's the best shoeshine in Boston?


Second floor garage elevators entrance of "Cambridge-Side Gallery" mall
Odessa shoe repair.
I ve used him for what you describing as maintenance and he is good.
 

pscolari

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I have been using Waban for a few years now and he is the best around Boston. I live in Cambridge so it is a quick ride from Harvard. Peer into the back of his store if you can if you go out there. The tools and machines he has back there are amazing.
 

Drinkwaters

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If your looking for quick repair in the Harvard Square area, try Felix Shoe Repair. He is located in the basement around the back of the building of Ferante Dege camera shop which is on Massachusetts Avenue in Harvard Square.

Gary
 

josepidal

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I called Felix and he comes very well recommended based on local newspaper reports. However, I called and he says that he charges $45 - 75 just to put rubber protectors on leather soles, though he says he has this better rubber called Pirelli.

Is this expensive by East Coast standards? This job is a bit simple, so I was wondering if I should find a less prestigious but less expensive cobbler.
 

josepidal

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I just dropped by Felix and he's the real thing. He's been at Harvard Square for over forty years, and glanced two seconds at my shoes to say what they were. He showed me what rubber he used and brought a sample of shoe he'd just put them on... an old pair of Edward Greens. His pitch was that I should have the rubbers put on because I bought good shoes, not plastic shoes (and takes a pair, with an indignant look on his face). He also said I should put the rubbers because no one resoles them the old way, by putting them on the last and restitching them, not economical anymore.

The problem is that he charges $45 for the simple rubber job, which is a tad painful considering it cost $7 at most where I came from.

How much does the average place charge for putting rubber protectors, for shoe shines, etc.?
 

Drinkwaters

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7 bucks, I don't think that even covers the cost of the rubber. It's an investment in your shoes and he really does do great work. I know it sounds expensive but so isn't a great meal at a restaurant. At least you will have something to show for it.

Best Regards,

Gary
 

Christofuh

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Jose, welcome to Boston. A city where transactions start @ $20
laugh.gif
 

josepidal

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I know, Gary, just checking if it's considerably more expensive than the other local cobblers. Or in New York, etc. I can see he does good work.
 

Augusto86

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Originally Posted by Christofuh
Jose, welcome to Boston. A city where transactions start @ $20
laugh.gif


And end at 12:30 am.
 

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