Due to death in our family we are selling our Father's Shoe Shop equipment. The equipment is all in excellent shape and we also have alot of leather products and accesories available. If anyone knows of a company or individual who may be interested please send me an email at Jkalie@yahoo.com. I will send pictures. Thanks.

-- Joe Kalie (jkalie@yahoo.com), October 28, 2001

Answers

Joe:

My father was also a shoe repairman for about 20 years. Unfortunately, I suspect you will not find much of a market for the equipment. Perhaps someone who makes harnesses might be interested in the sole stitcher and heavy duty sewing machine; however, the sole stitcher would be a bear to move if it is like the one dad had.

My understanding is there are very few young people interested in shoe repair today, plus so much today is throwaway. I haven't owned a leather sole shoe in probably 30 years. There's a shop in town, but he seems to make his money on high quality work boots and custom made boots. Plus, they have a portable shop which follows the rodeo circuit.

I assume there is a periodical devoted to the shoe repair industry. You might try advertise it there for someone to take over a going business. Depending where you are located, someone with experience may be interested in it as a part-time retirement business.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), October 28, 2001.