Industries come and go.
Common types of shop yesterday are rare today. Yes there are still a few TV repair shops, video rental stores, typewriter shops, cobblers, etc – but they are now specialties – few and far between.
Given that, how do we explain that Waban’s modest village center has not one but two cobblers?
The Waban Shoe Repairing Company is on Beacon St in the same block as the hardware store. Hidden right around the corner from Starbuck’s is the wonderfully named Sole Man.
So what’s the deal? Why is Waban a hot bed of cobblers. Do Waban people not wear sneakers? Are they a particularly frugal village that re-soles their old shoes rather than buy new ones. Do Waban folks buy better shoes that last long enough to merit regular scheduled maintenance?
Inquiring minds want to know. What’s with Waban’s shoes?
Wealthy people own multiple pairs of expensive shoes. They thus constitute a market for shoe repair / cobblers. It’s not worth it to repeatedly re-sole a pair of $100 Bostonian dress shoes. But $500 Italian wingtips? Those go to the cobbler.
The best survive. Be it buggy-whips or cobblers.
In Waban’s case there are two of the best cobblers in Greater Boston.
Waban Shoe Repair was founded by the legendary Gene Sebastian who attained Boston Magazine Hall of Fame status many decades ago and has been continued by the superb Peter.
In the lower square is The Sole Man. A one man shop with terrific service established before the collapse of the dress shoe industry.
Customers come from miles around for their favorite cobbler. It’s only a coincidence that there are two shops in one village, not a magnet drawing shoppers like antique shops in Upper Falls.
Bring your tired shoes and handbags, any leather that needs stitching. These guys do a great job.
..and as a Waban resident, let me say… a few bucks to re-heel a good pair of boots is way cheaper than a new pair. Love both our cobblers!
Thanksso much for the post.Really thank you! Great.