Old Style Shoe Shine-Repair Co.

10/10/2026

10/08/2026

I waited an hour at Urgent care, and they said my insurance wasn't accepted at Kaiser Permanente.
So, they sent me to the Overlake Hospital emergency room. I've been here for 3 + hours now.
I spotted a phone for a Taxi and thought about my escape...

10/04/2026

October 2nd, 2022, I moved from US Bank Center in downtown Seattle, from a small 205 sqft shoe shine shop to Two Union Square, to almost 1500 sqft, and started not just shining shoes and refurbishing them, but adding a back-of-the-house full shoe repair shop.

It's taken almost 4 years to get to where I am, plus 30+ years of shining shoes from Phoenix to downtown Seattle.

I hope I have another 10+ years, and that one of my apprentices will take it over and keep it running for a long time.

Check out my updated website at
https://oldstyleshoeshinerepair.com
Located on the corner of Union Street and 7th Ave, below the Mechanics Bank sign.

Old Style Shoe Shine-Repair Co.
701 Union Street
Seattle, WA 98101

We are open Tuesday - Friday,
10 AM to 6 PM
Saturday,
noon to 6 PM.
Closed Sunday and Monday.

Thank you to Simon from Gaziano Girling and Justin FitzPatrick for stopping by to see my small shop on my four year Anniversary.

Simon has just finished a Trunk show here in Seattle and was on his way to Las Vegas, NV.
Check it out; he may be in your city shortly.

And Justin is gearing up for Stitchdown in Chicago, IL from 11/7 & 8, 2026.

stitchdown fouryeqranniversary

09/27/2026

We are turning the page, and Fall and winter are just around the corner.
Are your shoes and boots ready for wet, cold weather?

Maybe you need new protective soles and heels, or some glue. Maybe the stitching has come apart on your belts or bags.

We do more than just shine and repair shoes and boots. We clean and condition bags, purses, and briefcases. We add holes, shorten, or extend your belts.

Do your boots not zip up anymore? We can add elastic to the top of the boot, stretch the toe box, vamp, or shaft of the boot as well.

Stop by and see what Old Style Shoe Shine & Repair Co. can do for you and your shoe wear, bags, and...

701 Union Street
Seattle, WA 98101
Located in downtown Seattle on the corner of Union Street and 7th Ave, below the Mechanics Bank sign.

Check out my updated website:
https://oldstyleshoeshinerepair.com

Hours of Operation:
Tuesday - Friday
10 AM - 6 PM
Saturday
Noon - 6 PM
Closed Sunday and Monday.

👢 💦 ⚒️

09/17/2026

I've been interested in doing something like this for some time. I have five apprentices working for me now, all under 30, all part-time.

A few have been with me for a couple of years and never did this type of work when they started. They start as a shoe shiner, and then we explore what they want to learn and do as an apprentice. I have a 1,500-sqft shoe repair shop in downtown Seattle.

September 2026, I will introduce a new Intern program to increase interest in shoe repair. I'm working with a couple of tech schools here in the greater Seattle area.
What's the difference between an Intern and an Apprentice?

I have a 12-week syllabus that I will be introducing soon. I have three people here now who want to start as interns, and hopefully I can give them enough knowledge to get their foot in the door at another shoe repair shop.

I'll fund this myself, and I plan to seek additional funding if it proves successful; we will know in the next three months or so.

What's the difference between an Intern and an Apprentice?

Intern in Shoe Repair ~
Duration:
Usually lasts a few weeks to a few months. Focus:
General workplace observation, basic prep work (like cleaning shoes or organizing tools), and exploring the trade.
Structure:
Less formal, often part-time or temporary, and may be unpaid or done for school credit.
Outcome:
Provides a broad introduction to the industry rather than full professional certification.

Apprentice in Shoe Repair ~
Duration:
Lasts from several months to a few years. Focus:
Deep, hands-on mastery of specific cobbler skills, such as replacing soles and heels, stitching leather, and operating heavy machinery.
Structure:
Highly structured and formal, combining direct mentorship from a master cobbler with paid on-the-job training.
Outcome:
Prepares you directly for a professional career.

Old Style Shoe Shine-Repair Co
701 Union Street
Seattle, WA 98101

09/11/2026

It's getting that time of year to pull out your boots and shoes and get them ready for fall and winter.

The sooner the better, we feel it will be busier this year with El Nino. 🌨️🌧️☔🌤️

Stop by with your boots and shoes for new soles, heels, and check out my updated website at:

https://oldstyleshoeshinerepair.com

☔️

09/08/2026

I want to congratulate Lisa Sorrell, who will be inducted into the Cowgirl Hall of Fame November 7, 2026.

Master bootmaker Lisa Sorrell is widely regarded as one of the finest custom boot artisans in the world.

Based in Guthrie, Oklahoma, Sorrell has earned international acclaim for her exceptional craftsmanship, innovative designs, and dedication to preserving the art of handmade cowboy boots.

Her work has been featured in museums, exhibitions, and publications celebrating Western artistry.

Through teaching, mentoring, and advocacy for traditional craftsmanship, Sorrell has helped ensure that the centuries-old tradition of custom boot making continues to thrive for future generations.

08/30/2026

NOW HIRING:
COBBLER INTERN (Shop Operations & Bench Prep) 🔨

Looking to step into the world of heritage trades and high-end leather craftsmanship?

Old Style Shoe Shine-Repair Co. is opening up an 8–12 week internship right here at our shop in downtown Seattle!

If you are a detail-oriented maker, student, or enthusiast eager to master the fundamentals of professional leather care, workshop operations, and premium finishing techniques (working with top-tier lines like Saphir and Boot Black), we want to hear from you.

Our intern works directly alongside our Master Cobbler and our four part-time apprentices in an active, fast-paced downtown workshop.

This part-time role focuses heavily on bench prep, material sorting, and front-of-house operations—making it the ultimate launching pad for traditional craft trades.
Open to coordinating for school or vocational credit! 🎓

📩 How to Apply:
Send us a DM or drop by the shop to introduce yourself. Tag a friend in Seattle who loves traditional crafts and heritage gear!

⚒️ 👞 👍🏻 🪡 🌆