Philip’s Shoe Repair

Visiting Philip was a revelatory experience for me. I brought in what I fully expected to be a lost cause; a pair of vintage Allen Edmonds Chelsea boots that I had purchased used and proceeded to thoroughly abuse for many months before finally taking them in for a full resole. The sole and cork were heavily damaged and the leather along the bottom was dried out making any new sewing difficult.
Philip gave me an honest assessment – that he could not guarantee a successful repair and that the cost might be greater than the current value of the boots– and told me that he would ordinarily turn me away as it wasn’t worth it. But he decided to help as I clearly loved these boots and they reminded him of a pair his father used to own. He would do his best, and we would discuss payment if the repair was successful.
A month later, his wife called to say that my shoes were ready. He had fully rebuilt the bottom half of the boot and the craftsmanship was in-​line with the best hand-​made shoes you can find. I’m still breaking in the new soles, but I could not be happier with the result; I know that these boots will last me for years to come.
Far above and beyond what one can normally expect from a shoe repair place. I think the difference is that Philip used to be a shoe maker and still has the skillset for it, though he now mostly does repairs. Thank you!

*CASH ONLY* This lovely couple has owned this store for over 49 years. They cleaned my shoes for free because it was a minor scuff. I bought some shoe cleaner just to support them. Will continue to take my business here.

This is a no-​nonsense, old-​school cobbler shop. For example, you need to pick up your shoes within 30-​days, pay in full, and may need to wait several days/​weeks. Given the fact that there aren’t many cobblers in the city (or even 5 miles from the city), I will take what I can get.
In the fall, I brought in three pairs of boots (Frye/​Ariat), marked my calendar for 2 – 3 weeks, and prayed for its safety. I was thrilled that the boots looked brand new! The price point was around $ 150 to reheel, add Vibram soles, and weatherproof the boots for winter. Pricey, but much easier than paying and shopping for a new pair of boots every season.

Fabulous job on two pairs of my very nicest shoes – they look better than new! What a great find. Incredible craftsmanship, nice people, and fast service. The price was better than expected as well.

I still bring all my shoes to Philip to repair, even though I live in Australia now. Eventually I’ll need to find another cobbler, but so long as Philip is sill in business, it’s worth the effort to bring them with me on my semi-​annual trips back to DC.

Simply incredible — a combination of expertise, customer service, rand value that is disappearing. Philip has been doing this for over 50 years though I wish he would consider restarting his old business of making shoes

When I find a pair of shoes I like, I wear them all day, everyday. I have a pair of boots from banana republic — albeit, not great quality, but they certainly weren’t a drop in the bucket on a grad school budget. The heal on one of the shoes came off so I took them to Philip’s Shoe Repair based off the reviews. I interacted only with Philip’s wife who was sweet and helpful. After 5 days or so, my boots were ready to be picked up. They were as good as new — polished with all their scratches out.
A little pricier than I expected — $ 35 to repair the bottom of the heels (like half an inch of new rubber), but it was worth it for the boots that I wear all day every day. Cash or check only!

As another reviewer said, the wife is just not very friendly.
I had holes in both the heels of my favorite boots after four winters of wear and tear, so I took them to Philips. I stepped inside the shop and felt like I had transformed to the 1950s. She informed me that NOTHING, nothing could be done to repair the heels and the boots are manmade! Just a lost cause?! No effort what so ever!
I gladly took them to George’s on 14^th Street, who assured me that they could be repaired and the boots are leather, as the label said inside. George’s replaced the heels and shined my boots for $ 25 (and they take debit card). Lesson learned: take your money where it’s valued.

I took four pairs of shoes in that needed heel taps, scuff repairs on the shoe tip, a repair to a strap and a repair to the foot bed. The owner and his wife were very honest upfront, not guaranteeing a fix on all pairs of shoes but guaranteeing their best attempt. Within three days, I received a call that all the shoes has been fixed and when I arrived to pick them up, was extremely satisfied with the results.
The cost was relatively inexpensive for all the repairs and the owner and his wife were so wonderful… I see why they’ve been in business for decades. The service you receive at small mom-​and-​pop shops is bar-​none compared to larger establishments.

Mr. Calabro and his charming wife run an exceptional old-​school shop. Since I started coming here a few months ago, I have found their attention to detail, honesty, and his craftsmanship to unparalleled. Having a collection of indulgent high-​end designer shoes, I greatly appreciate their ability to keep them looking brand new. Moreover, I have been happy to find them to have the most affordable prices I have found anywhere. Truly a bargain and good investment.

Brought some beat up dress shoes here that needed new soles and heals. Shows now look like new. Impressed by Phillip. Certainly recommend.

I went to this place based on reviews off Unilocal.I was explained by his wife that they had to do something special to the shoe and I was confused since
The shoe’s condition was not bad or in unrepairable mode either. I explained to the wife that I hope the shoe looks really good, and Then she goes off to say that I could take it to another place if I didn’t trust them. She got defensive, but I explained I came to them based on reviews on Unilocal,so I trust them but i tried to explain to her that I’ve had some bad experience since moving to DC not relating to shoes for small talk and she said DC is Safe. Wow, she must be living in another world (not all of DC is Safe, especially when you get touched by creepy men randomly on the street) Anyways!
I agreed to try this place out given that philip is known for his expertise via the reviews. I thought it was very, and I mean VERY pricey quote they gave me, but I thought it’s worth it cause he’s the
. Well… They returned my shoes, but the work that was done was very basic for the amount that was charged. I looked at the shoe and did not see the «special «or anything that looked special about How the shoe was repaired. I think they over charge certain types of people Who walk in because I was quoted $ 90 for two pairs of shoe and the lady who just walked in was charged for 5 pairs of shoes and it was way lower than mine. Anyways, I think It’s pricey. for what it is. I think the work they do here can be done at another place with a friendlier attitude as Well.

I had two pairs of shoes with heels that were *really* badly worn down. The rubber was gone and the interior of the heel was exposed, on both. I thought they were done for but I liked them so much (even though they weren’t super expensive) I wanted to see if Philip could work some magic.
I went to the store and Philip’s wife looked at my shoes and said «I dunno, these are really bad» but after she consulted with Philip she said he was going to see what he could do.
I asked if they could be done in a week, and sure enough they were done before the week was up. Both heels were repaired and look good. The replaced heels are very sturdy and the shoes were polished up to look brand new.
For ~$ 23 per heel this was a great deal! I will definitely go back, and this time I won’t wait until the heels are as badly worn down

Don’t not take your louboutins here!!! I came in a wanted vibram soles added. Pretty standard for louboutins as to protect the sole. They came back with ink marks on them which they say were there prior to them being in their care. When I came to pick up the shoes the soles were added to them but thee were indentations in the bottom of the shoe and the sole was halfway up the shoe. The shoes look horrendous and I’m embarrassed to wear them. I complained and they gave me my $ 54 back but I’m out $ 700 so at the end of the day it doesn’t matter. I asked if they had done louboutins prior to this and they said yes then showed me a pair of Payless shoes that they did the same thing to but it doesn’t compare.

They did a fantastic job «fixing» the last repair I’d had on a pair of patent leather pumps a former shoe repair used the wrong polish on! It’s nice these little mom and pop’s still exist.

If you’re a show lover like me you really need someone you can trust to revive your babies back to health. Philip has been my shoe guy since I moved here. Old school, from Sicily and used to make shoes back in the day, his craftsmanship has a quality you just don’t find in this modern world.
I’ve taken boots and heels there and they’ve always come back like new. I even had a pair of patent leather peep toe pumps that he make look new. He had this material, which they don’t even make anymore, that he melted onto the heal to cover up the scratches and they looked amazing. I couldn’t even tell the difference between the materials.
Both he and his wife are the sweetest people. I have been lucky enough to get same day service on many occasions. Now they don’t take cards so bring cash or checks (that’s right, they’ll take a check-​old school). If you need shoe, hand bag or luggage repair this is the best place.

Philip does amazing work repairing shoes. I wore down the heel on my left shoe and he rebuilt both heels from scratch so they’d match. The result was indistinguishable from when my shoes were new! He’s also very honest when assessing repairs. For several pairs of shoes refused to work on them because he felt that they couldn’t be fixed well. Many other shops I feel would have just taken my money and left me with a poorly repaired shoe.
I look forward to bringing my shoes to Philip for years to come and like that I’m supporting a local businesses that has real craftsmanship and skill to it. Philip needs to find an apprentice to train up and carry on his work when he decides to retire. Apparently he’s wanted to retire for years, but his customers won’t let him.

Philip is the man. Period. And his wife is friggin awesome. End of story. It’s just the truth.
I had a pair of boots that didnt fit around my calves. I took them to Philip with the intention if getting the leg stretched. But since they had a zipper that wouldn’t be possible. But they found the solution of making an insert in the inside.
I took them in on Thursday and tried them on Saturday before the final stitching was done to make sure the sizing was correct on my legs. I’ve never been do in love with a pair of boots.
And I got the boots back *****
Now, it wasn’t cheap buy certainly worth every f’n penny.
He really cares about doing an outstanding job, and he does an outstanding job.
I will recommend them to everyone for sure.

I love this place! mr. Calabro and his wife are always very accomodating. I have always been happy with their work and the prices are fair. I have had many shoes and boots reheeled or resoled.
The only drawbacks are they only accept check or cash and their weekday hours are pretty tight– 8 to 5 I think. On Saturday they’re open from 10 to 2.

Really, really wonderful. I had various repairs on three pairs of boots recently and I was extremely impressed by the workmanship. I can see how people might find this place a little pricey – I have had some bad alterations/​repairs in the past and the peace of mind I get from knowing my shoes are safe is priceless!
Also, Phillip and his wife are so nice.
BRING CASH OR CHECK!