Boston's Best Cobblers
Say the word cobbler and most people think of stories of yesteryear and folklore. But shoe repair is alive and well in Boston. Whether you have a high-end pair of shoes you want to keep looking great or a pair that you picked up for a special occasion and fell in love, there are a lot of good reasons to fix your shoes rather then toss them. Shoe repair can get great results and keep that footwear out of the trash. Best of all, if you go to the right cobbler, it doesn't have to break the bank.
George's Shoe Repair
120 Union Park St.
Boston, MA 02118
(617) 970-3836
You can't talk about cobblers in Boston without mentioning George's Shoe Repair. The service cannot be beat, and neither can the price. If you've ever worried that a beloved but not terribly expensive pair of shoes isn't worth getting fixed, stop right there. George's Shoe Repair is so affordable that it will make you completely change your mind on shoe repair. And best of all, George's will also pick up your worn-out shoes and deliver them once they're repaired, straight to your door at no extra cost.
Max's Shoe Repair
54 Province St
Boston, MA 02108
(857) 277-1507
Max's Shoe Repair, formerly Prospero's Shoe Repair, has fast, friendly service and a dedication to the little details. While the prices here are pretty average for a Boston shoe repair store, there is nothing average about the service. Fast, friendly and very reliable, Max's can also clean and repair your leather handbags. You can get your favorite heels and the lovely but worn purse you bought to match them all fixed at the same shop.
Downtown Crossing Instant Shoe Repair
Downtown Crossing Station
7 Chauncy St.
Boston, MA 02111
(617) 451-3376
Plenty of the cobblers on this list are fast. Fast service is one of the things that make them the best in Boston. But how many are so willing to stake their reputation on the speed of their service that they would risk putting the word instant in their name? Luckily, the name doesn't lie. You'll find that Downtown Crossing Instant Shoe Repair is among the absolute fastest cobblers in the city. Within a few minutes or an afternoon, you can get your old pair of shoes back, ready to be worn again.
Beacon Hill Shoe Repair
126 Bowdoin St.
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 367-0434
www.beaconhillshoerepair.com
Beacon Hill Shoe Repair is about as traditional a cobbler as you can get. While many modern day shoe repair places rely on glues and chemical adhesives to fix almost any problem, you'll find that Beacon Hill Shoe Repair keeps it old school. That's right, real shoe repair with lots of sewing and hand stitching involved. If you have handmade shoes or any high-end pair of footwear, you'll find Beacon Hill Shoe Repair to be a great option at a surprisingly affordable price.
Ares Shoe Repair
84 Charles St.
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 720-1583
Ares Shoe Repair harkens back to a previous era. On Sundays, the shop is closed, and don't expect to walk in and pay with a credit or debit card. On the flip side, you also get service, quality repair and plain old integrity that many shops today can't match. If your shoes can be repaired, they will be done quickly and efficiently. If they can't, you'll get an honest answer that they are unsalvageable before you pay money to learn the hard way.
Renee Mallett is the author of several books about art, culture, and New England. She was the owner and director of an art gallery and has written about arts and entertainment on a national level for several print and online journals. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
