STEPHEN Smith is one of a dying breed.
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When he first moved with his parents from Cootamundra to Bathurst in the 1960s, Mr Smith wasn’t expecting to one day follow in his father’s footsteps as a cobbler.
But after returning from a stint in Europe as a fitter, Mr Smith was looking for something new to do.
That’s when, with the help of his father Frank, he began mastering the art of shoe repairs.
That was more than 20 years ago, and the shoe repair business has changed a lot in that time.
When Mr Smith began in the industry, a good pair of boots would cost a week’s wage. Now, though, most shoes are made overseas and only designed to last one or two seasons before they wear out.
“These days it’s glue this or stick that,” Mr Smith said.
“But I will never take what I do for granted. I still believe in maintaining quality of service.”
Mr Smith says there are still people out there who buy good shoes and want them repaired.
“Generally speaking we live in a very disposable world where it can be cheaper to throw out a good pair of shoes and buy a new pair,” Mr Smith said.
“What isn’t always understood is that in the long run it can be more cost-effective to repair or re-sole your favourite shoes.”
Today, most of the repair work is replacing women’s shoe heels and the elastic on boots.
And the need to diversify means Mr Smith’s iconic shop, Frank Smith Shoe Repairs on Keppel Street, now also offers an extensive range of polishes, leather apparel and shoe protection products.
“Shoe horns are one of our more popular items,” Mr Smith said. “There’s just not the percentage of people wanting their shoes repaired these days, so we had to diversify.”
Do you know someone with an unusual job, or a job from a bygone era? Contact us via email at editor.westernadvocate@ruralpress.com or 6330 2323.