Bron Yakov Shoe Repair

I’m a fan. It was my first time using Bron Yakov Shoe Repair, so he did ask me for a small deposit, for which I will not fault him. What I received on pick up were almost brand new shoes. Stitched,
Thank you, Bron Yakov.
As others have said, he is a master cobbler and a straight shooter.

He’s a master craftsman and they just don’t make them like this anymore. Walking into his little shop is like being transported to another era. He’s a straight shooter but don’t let that put you off. I’ve been having my shoes fixed by him for years, and each time he’s managed to restore my shoes to like-​new condition. I’ve actually had the same pair of leather boots now for over 8 years because he’s managed to save them several times. He’s fixed my boyfriend’s shoes as well! Reasonably priced, never had any issues. He doesn’t like to work on «cheap» or «garbage» shoes, and will tell you right away if a pair of shoes are not up to his standard. He will still try to fix them though, but given the poor quality, there’s always a chance they may not hold up. Five stars all the way!

He does beautiful work. He’s faster than he promises. He’s not as grouchy as I expected. He was actually pretty friendly and called to let me know my shoes were ready. They were ready early. His prices are up there but most of the places in the area are for shoe repair. He was a little cheaper than Michael’s on Smith so that made my decision.

I used to love this place — it was my go-​to neighborhood cobbler (and I have a lot of shoe needs!). But I think Jacob has lost his mind — I feel bad saying it, but I just had a crazy experience. A few months ago I brought in a pair of Jimmy Choo heels to have a couple of extra holes made. Weeks later, when I went to wear them, I saw that he had botched the job so badly that he had to add an extra leather strip underneath the strap (in other words, he tore the strap), and I could no longer access the hole that I needed to wear the shoes. It looked like he had closed his eyes when he was putting in the holes. So I just brought them in to (politely) complain and get this problem fixed, and he told me a) he didn’t see a problem and b) ALL the holes (i.e. the manufacturer’s holes) were too small. And he takes out his awl and starts hammering away at the perfectly good holes that the shoes came with! I was begging him to stop and finally had to snatch the shoes out of his hands and leave. I know this sounds unbelievable — i couldn’t believe it myself, but needless to say I will not be returning.

I have been coming here for the past few years now, not for quality but convenience. Nonetheless I have been fairly satisfied with the service although I worry about the reliability. When I first started going here Jacob insisted on a deposit and was very weary of taking my shoes, apparently he has a big problem with people dropping stuff off and not picking up after repair. I think that is crazy, as I would miss any pair of shoes that I was willing to pay to get repaired dearly. Either way it seems like he sells those undeclared items. Now when I go there I am lucky I get a ticket because he doesn’t ask for any information. I get a quote and he is fairly reasonable, although not cheap. The good thing is I guess he trusts me enough to not require a deposit, the sure sign of a real neighborhood establishment if you ask me!

This place is a gem! The prices are eminently reasonable, but more importantly, the work is impeccable. This guy can do anything.

It’s true that the customer service may be slightly lacking here, but he makes up for it by doing great work. He can fix pretty much anything on a shoe (holes in shoe sole, replacing zipper on leather boots etc.) and the prices are very reasonable.

After reading the reviews, I went to BY to get a pair of boots fixed. He is a sweet and kind of curmudgeonly old man, but he gets it done! He told me my boots needed a new sole and he replaced them. Needless to say, he took very beaten up boots and made them look brand new (as all the compliments I have received have told me)!

bron (can i call him bron?) rescued my most favorite of all boots from disuse due to dilapidation, and for that i have nothing but gratitude from head to well clad toe. sure, he is a no-​nonsense, no frills type of guy, but his work is still holding up a year later. it’s true, the shop is on degraw at court going towards clinton.

This man is a dying breed. He does it all when it comes to being a cobbler + He stitches leather and fine accessories that cost a lot of money. Superior quality craftsmanship and why buy a new pair of shoes for $ 200 when he can make them brand new for $ 20.
Sincerely, Amazing amazing quality and a true professional.

I concur-​quality work. Do not, however, believe the location listed above. The shop is on Degraw at Court, but between Court and Clinton, not Court and Smith.

First I went to the shoe place on Smith Street with my boots. They told me $ 28 to replace the heels, saying that if I’d brought them in sooner it wouldn’t be so much. I told them no thanks, I’m not willing to spend that much on the boots.
Stopped into see Jacob next. $ 12 for the whole deal. Yes, he’s a bit of a grump, but his work was good, and damn, that’s a big price difference!
Open weekdays till 6:45pm, or so the sign says.

He is the best shoemaker I’ve used in the last 20 years. He repairs last much longer than other shoemakers, he very honest and his prices are very reasonable.

DON’T GO HERE, unless you want your shoes ruined!!! Besides being a grumpy man, rather than fix shoes, he ruins them and charges you for it — if you want to get them back!
Seriously, I have never had a shoe repair experience like this and hope never to have another. I brought three pairs of shoes to this shop. He ruined one pair and did a half job on the others:
Pair One: new Italian nude colored flats needed a little stretch. When I went to pick them up, one had a black mark across the front top and what looked like a clamp indentation. I pointed it out to him and asked if he could get the mark off. He said it was nothing and then proceeded to spray something on them (he said water). This left a huge water stain across the whole front of the shoe as well as smeared the black spot. My new sweet little nude leather Italian shoes are now old and grimy looking.
Pair Two black strappy high heel sandals: needed a new elastic band on the clasp and a shine. Returned without repairing band and shined the front/​top but not the heels.
Pair Three: black Cole Haan pumps: needed taps and shine/​color — Returned new taps, no color/​shine.
I think I could deal with paying to get my shoes back and taking them elsewhere. But having a $ 200 pair of new Italian shoes ruined. I paid and ran crying from his miserable shop

Jacob the cobbler is terrifying. On my last visit to his hole-​in-​the-​wall, I cooled my heels for ten minutes watching Judge Joe Brown on the small TV and inhaling shoe polish fumes while he noncholantly finished hisarepair on a boot, before acknowledging me with annoyance. He then pronounced, in his heavy accent, the shoe I’d brought «garbage,» said the prior cobbler’s work was «stupid» and informed me that the heel was not worth saving. I put down a deposit nonetheless and was told, as one always is no matter the scope of the job, to return in a week.
In addition to being awesome, Jacob does a great job. He is very honest and won’t provide a service if he thinks it’s unnecessary or that the shoe’s not worth the trouble. But the work he does is meticulous, his repairs last, his prices are fair and if he admires a shoe, you know it must be well-​made!
I am too scared to bring Jacob my really cheap shoes that I just want to get through another winter. But if you are made of sterner stuff, endure his scorn and get the best shoe repair I’ve ever experienced!