Kelly’s Cobbler

Me: «Do you have a price menu that I can take a picture of? I’d like to show the person I bought these boots from how much it will cost to repair.»
Guy: «No.»
Me: «Can you write down the price for me then?»
Guy: «You can write it down and I will stamp it for you.»
Me (pointing at his pencil and paper on the table right in front of me): «Okay. Can I borrow a pencil and piece of paper to do that?»
Guy: «No. We are not lawyers or doctors.»
… What?
What is with the unhelpfulness when both pencil and paper were readily available and in plain view? What was also up with the attitude? It’s as if he thought I was being unreasonable or purposely insulting for asking that prices be posted /​written down, or for suggesting that people other than lawyers and doctors should want to write things down. Anyone who objects so much starts sounding sketchy.
At this point, I cut my losses and left. Even if he were technically competent, it was quite obvious that he had little intention of being cooperative. It didn’t give me confidence that he would take care of my possessions, and if borrowing pencil and paper were such an issue for him, I don’t want to know how he would behave if an actual problem with my item arose. I just don’t need the drama.
As for the price, he quoted me $ 18 to switch out the zipper pull /​slide (not even the entire zipper containing the teeth). It would be $ 36 to switch out the pair if I want my boots to match again, which, yes, I do. Pretty sure that is gouging.
FOLLOW-​UP: I found an online tutorial showing how to fix the zipper, and assuming you have a pair of pliers, it is absolutely free — no new zipper slider /​pull or changing anything necessary. It barely takes any time, too, so $ 18 for «labor,» much less $ 36, is absolutely insane.

Amazing! I brought in two pairs of boots, with various issues in need of repair, and the owner made them miraculously look as good as new! I can’t believe it. Highly recommended.

It’s kind of interesting that as certain trades die off (say cobbling), those in that trade who hang on can make out quite well.
The main reason I’m writing a review is to share my pricing experience, which was not in-​line with what other reviewers experienced. One pair of men’s dress shoes resoled with new heels (both rubber based) was $ 48. Based on prices others mentioned in their reviews, I was expecting something in the $ 25-​$ 30 range. And if I’d chosen leather soles, it would have been $ 68.
For me, $ 48 was probably right about my tipping point for whether it was worth having done versus just buying a new pair. As I was already in the shop with the shoes, I went ahead, but if I’d known the price beforehand, I don’t think I would have had it done.
As for the work, the shoes that otherwise were ready for the trash heap are now usable. They are not «as good as new» — the shoes don’t feel as perfectly flat as they did before, the new heel has a different feel to it as you walk, and they produce a clunky sound as one walks on floors. Finally, it took 2 weeks to have the work done.
Overall, I’m satisfied but not delighted by the work, and wish the price had been lower.

This is my first review and for good reason! I dropped off two pairs of boots… one pair of Fryes that I’ve worn religiously since 1998… through snowstorms, rain, and all sorts inclimate weather (and a few unseemly occasions)…plus the dog chewed up one of the leather harnesses. I dropped them off and they came back to me looking brand NEW…1998 brand new (harness and all)! And for roughly 20 bucks. I highly recommend!

Went back in to have my lather wallet fixed and he did an awesome job. Very quick and very carefully done. Highly recommended!

Can’t recommend Kelly’s highly enough for shoe repairs. I have a pair of side-​zip leather boots that I wear constantly, and when one of the zippers became damaged and stuck I was fairly distraught. Brought them to Kelly’s, and within days they had replaced the zipper and re-​soled the boots, all for under $ 40. It would have cost many times that to replace them, and in the year or so since I had them repaired here, the zipper has continued to work perfectly, despite wearing them so frequently that they’re probably going to require another re-​soling soon!

I brought in two pairs of shoes– suede heels that needed a heel cap replaced, and suede boots with the heels completely worn away. The new heels are very comfortable. They also cleaned the boots, and the cleaning job was quite good but could have been better. Efficient and friendly service though. $ 30 total.

I have never written a review but after the horrible customer service I just encountered I was compelled to sign up just to write this. I just moved to the area and was ecstatic to see a shoe repair place right on my block. I have a lot of shoes that need some repair. I brought in 2 pairs of boots. On the door to the store the sign says «We repair the irreparable», which made me feel confident my simple fixes would be no problem. Well I was wrong. One pair needed simple heel caps replaced and the other needed a zipper restrung and some stitching on the back. The lady at the counter grabbed my boots and ripped away a bit more at the tear the took them to show the cobbler. He said they needed new leather paneling (which they totally don’t) and says, «It’s going to be at least $ 48 for the stitching plus zipper… tell her to buy a new pair.» So much for fixing the irreparable! Ok fine, I say I’ll hold on that pair but go ahead w the other pair. She tells me it’ll be late Saturday. (Today is Tuesday). I asked if it could be expedited at all because I was hoping to have them for Friday and she says «no way we have too much to do and I was being nice by telling you Saturday.» I told her it’s too bad because I had a lot of shoes and was hoping to bring them a lot of business. She starts going off on how it was absurd to think they could put heel caps on before Saturday. well, if something so simple is so time consuming I suppose I am better off with a place that knows how to make actual repairs. I was appalled by her attitude and the entire time I was treated like an annoyance simply because I walked in the door. Not sure how they hope to keep business if they blatantly turn people like me away.

If only more businesses could be like Kelly’s cobbler. Respectful service, honest quotes on repairs, accurate deadlines. I’ve been coming here for almost two years and wouldn’t think of going anywhere else. I’ve never been happier to support a business. If you’re in need of a shoe repair/​maintenance, then look no further. Hands down best you’ll find in new haven.

I brought three pairs of ladies’ shoes with the same problem — the problem of all ladies’ shoes, the scourge of women and the delight of cobblers. The plastic bit on the bottom of the heel fell off. And I continued to wear the shoes anyway, grinding the heel to a metal spike.
So I brought my poor shoes in and fully expected that he would make me toss out at least one. But he promised to repair them all within a week. It was $ 12/​each for the normal heels and $ 14 for the stacked wood heel.
I came back Monday evening to pick them up and they weren’t quite ready, which he was awfully sorry about, so I didn’t mind coming back Tuesday. Sure enough, he fixed them by replacing the plastic with a thicker piece, and repairing the damage to the backs of the heels as much as possible.
He’s a good repairman and does honest work. If only the people who made the shoes were more like him!

BAD!
Very bad!
As a matter of ‘background’, I summer in Connecticut, winter in Florida and live/​vote in Nevada. Because of this, I check Unilocal for reviews on services/​vendors when I’m out of my ‘home’ state.
I just picked up a pair of shoes from Mr. ‘Popkin’ at Kelly Shoe Repair and, although he’s very personable, his shoe repair skills are appalling: uneven full soles, way too much glue, and incomplete stitching all ‘hidden’ with black dye.
When I dropped them off he and I both agreed these were expensive, quality footwear and that’s why his cost to repair was so high: he’d take his time and do an excellent job that would duplicate the original ‘factory’ appearance.
Oh, we’re that only true: although they’re certainly ‘wearable’ (hence two ‘stars’), that’re now, pretty much, a ‘mess’.
I strongly suggest one opt to do some investigating before bringing your shoes here: ask a friend, neighbor or even a stranger with good footwear for a referral.
Good luck!
dlc

Had a pair of nice boots re-​heeled. They did a great job for $ 16. Very pleased.

I’ve gotten three pairs of shoes fixed here, and two of them fell apart again right after getting them back from the shoe repair (a heel came off on one, and a strap tore on the other). The third pair is holding up but in the process of gluing a new sole on these white sandals they got stained with brown glue. Definitely need to look for a different cobbler…

Unfortunately, there is not much of a choice in downtown new haven for shoe repairs, so I guess that’s why they don’t care about customer service. Dropped off shoes to be cleaned and waterproofed on a Wednesday ad was told they would be done on Friday. When I went to get them Friday not only did it take them 10 minutes to find them but they also hadn’t done anything to them. Then I was told they would do both cleaning and waterproofing while I waited 15 minutes (having taken shoes in for repair 1000 times in NYC I know you can’t waterproof wet shoes so that was a blatant lie) and then I got yelled at by the woman without even prompting her and she threw my money and boots at me and told me to leave. Attitude much? I’ll pay double and bring my shoes to be fixed only in NYC so that things actually get done next time.

On a whim I brought a pair of shoes with me to N. H for a wedding even though I had ruined the heels. The concierge at the Omni told me to go to Kelly’s for same day service. Impossible, i thought. I walked in at 1:45, needing them by 6 but with zero expectations. He told me 4:30 pick up was great. What? I picked them up at five, they’d already been waiting for me. The shoes looked gorgeous and it was $ 12 to save them. I don’t live in New Haven, but I might send all my shoes down there with my boyfriend just to drop off at Kelly’s! You are crazy if you go anywhere else.

This guy can save any pair of shoes. And he’s so honest. He’ll tell you whether you are wasting your money on a pair that has died, and exactly what your shoes need to weather a disgusting NH winter!

Repaired my torn bag, charged $ 8 did an okay job

As far as I know, there are only two places in downtown New Haven to get your shoes repaired: Star Shoe Repair on College St and this place. After the old guy at Star Shoe Repair disappeared (passed away?), I had a bad experience over there with the young guy working there, so I came to Kelly’s Cobbler. The guy here who repairs the shoes is a really nice guy and did a good job of re-​stitching my hiking boots.