Toronto Cobblers

[suitforcourt]

Not too far from Toronto, and the results so far are excellent: Pablo Hadarits at Dimar Shoe Repair in Guelph.

Pablo Hadarits - Dimar Shoe Repair - Guelph Ontario

In my continuing quest to try out new cobblers in Canada, I came across Dimar Shoe Repair in Guelph. Here are the websites: https://www.facebook.com/dimarshoerepair https://dimarshoerepair.com/ I decided to try Pablo Hadarits. His facebook pics are regularly updated, and I communicated with...

www.styleforum.net

The last repair by Pablo Hadarits. These are vintage Florsheim 93602s that my kids will be using for a craft. Maybe some dyeing? These were in really rough shape. Heel counter had damage and soles definitely needed replacing. I chose the Vibram 430 and Alpes heels. Now they're versatile enough for any condition. Pablo recommended the yellow thread which makes the logo really pop.

 

[suitforcourt]

Some Tuesday afternoon shoe Appreciation. Florsheim 97626 in black. Rebuilt with JR soles, grommets, triumph toe plates, and rubber heels.

B Mason Executive Imperials rebuilt with house leather, Vibram Raptor sole protectors, and toe plates.

Martin Sugg at Timeless Shoe Repair.

Timeless Shoe Repair - Thunder Bay Ontario

Thanks for posting this, always like seeing how these projects come together and seeing these shoes being brought back to life. Very nice work from what I can see.

www.styleforum.net

 

[suitforcourt]

Last repair by Martin Sugg. Vintage Florsheim Golden Harvest with JR soles, toe plates, and cat paw heels.

 

[suitforcourt]

Brothers, I am going to drop off some footwear for Corey Hiltz in Barrie to repair.

Here is my review of him:

Corey Hiltz - cobbler in Barrie Ontario - Fix em up shoe repair
Today I finally made it to see Corey Hiltz, one of our esteemed local Canadian cobblers. So I live in Mississauga (population 600,000+) and work in Toronto (largest city in Canada). There is not a single reputable cobbler in those 2 cities who can fully recraft dress shoes with JR soles. The...
www.styleforum.net

He just found out today he won 2 silvers at an international shoe repair competition in Netherlands. He is also a silver medalist at a North American competition.

He is the only GTA based cobbler to win at either competition.

As a service to this thread, I am happy to drop off and pick up repairs for anyone else who is interested. I am going anyways. No charge.

I do live in Mississauga, so you will have to come meet me (McDonalds parking lot).

Corey does require upfront payment. So every one will have to speak to him, and arrange payments. I am only doing drop off and pick up, so people can save on shipping.

Please PM me if interested. I plan on going sometime this fall.

QUOTE REPLY

 

[suitforcourt]

New rebuilds by Gary Coakley in London

Gary Coakley - cobbler in London Ontario - Coakleys

Thanks. I'm in the Detroit area, and get to Toronto enough that I could drop shoes off along the way. I don't care about paying for shipping, but it's nice to have a face to face conversation about what you want done. In terms of cost, right now, I'm sending shoes to London (or dropping off...

www.styleforum.net

 

[suitforcourt]

Speed hooks on boots, and toe taps, sole protectors, and rubber heels. Work done by Pablo Hadarits of Dimar Shoe Repair in Guelph.

Pablo Hadarits - Dimar Shoe Repair - Guelph Ontario

In my continuing quest to try out new cobblers in Canada, I came across Dimar Shoe Repair in Guelph. Here are the websites: https://www.facebook.com/dimarshoerepair https://dimarshoerepair.com/ I decided to try Pablo Hadarits. His facebook pics are regularly updated, and I communicated with...

www.styleforum.net

 

[suitforcourt]

A few recent repairs by Corey Hiltz in Barrie (Fix em up shoe repair). Check out the separate thread for all pics.

 

[suitforcourt]

Martin Sugg in Thunder Bay, becomes first cobbler from Ontario to win the prestigious title for this competition:

Silver Cup Class of 2021 - Shoe Service Institute of America

Silver Cup Winners 2021 Robert DiRinaldo Grand Silver CupMartin SuggTimeless Shoe RepairThunder Bay, ON Gold AwardLuke GeorgeGeorge’s Shoes & RepairArden…

www.ssia.info

Patrick Nijdam of Vancouver won silver, and Dan Frappier of Sudbury won bronze.

Important to note that a cobbler from Toronto has never won a medal at this competition.

Why send repairs elsewhere?

 

[whirlwynds]

Important to note that a cobbler from Toronto has never won a medal at this competition.

Why send repairs elsewhere?

sad but true. why do you think that is? too much work and no need to do a good job?

 

[suitforcourt]

sad but true. why do you think that is? too much work and no need to do a good job?

I think guys in Toronto, in general, don't understand the difference between quality vs brand, or quality vs price point.

As an example, a lot of guys in Toronto area will blindly buy Prada or Loding shoes but they are not well made or comfortable, or made to last.

Or they rely on the fact that a cobbler shop has the "official" status for a brand for repairs. For example only, Blundstone and other brands use Nick's as their official repair shop. I will never in a billion years send my shoes to them. I've seen their work on others' footwear and the results are inconsistent and horrendous.

That's my opinion as to why Toronto doesn't have one decent cobbler.

 

[suitforcourt]

I just found out that Alphonse, who ran Bay Bloor Shoe Repairs for decades, passed away in the summer. Another cobbler bought the shop.

 

[suitforcourt]

Some rebuilds by Dan Frappier.

1. Florsheim 92604s that got stacked leather wedge soles. Unconventional but I find them very comfortable as my WFH shoes, and also they're different;

2. Florsheim NSTs that got the full monty. JR midsoles, outsoles, Florsheim stamping inside and out, cat paw heels, toe taps, new welts, and new french binding;

3. Boulet boots that got speed hooks and a Vibram outsole for the winter;

4. Chippewa Ellisons that got new outsoles;

5. House flip flops that got new outsoles. They definitely grip much better now.