Connie’s Shoe Repair

Brought in some boots in mid November. Was told they’d be done on approximately December 11^th. December 11^th comes and I hear nothing. I call on the 14^th for a status update. I’m told they’ll look into it and give me a call back with a new estimate. A week goes by and I hear nothing. No calls. No voicemails. Call again on the 21^st. I hear the guy telling the guy I’m speaking to that he hasn’t even started them yet. I explain how that is unacceptable to me and I will be coming in to pick them up and expect a full refund. They tell me only the owner can issue refunds and he isn’t in today. Looks like I’ll be there first thing in the morning to speak with the owner. Hoping they accommodate me with a full refund. It’s unacceptable to wait over a month to start an order. It’s even worse to avoid contacting customers.

I had a new sole put on a pair of 15-​year old Sandro Moscoloni boots which cost me over 50% of what a new pair would have cost – I don’t think these shoes would normally be brought in for a repair. But since I couldn’t find anything new that fit like the old ones did, I opted to go ahead and pay for a new sole. I’ve been wearing them since every work day for probably the past 5 or 6 months and they are holding up great. So glad I went for the repair on this one.

Save yourself the trouble and go to Gus’! I dropped my shoes off two weeks ago to have the sole glued and the shoes cleaned. Upon dropping them off I was told that they’d be done and ready for pickup in a week. I explained to him that my job has me out of town for most of the week so I would be a day late in picking them up but needed them to be ready because the following week I’d be out of town for my job yet again. The next week comes and I’m heading out of my job a few minutes later than expected but they’re right up the street, so I called and explained that I was running just a little behind and might get there at 5:01PM, literally, if not by 5PM when they close. I asked if they’d be able to wait for literally one extra minute before closing the door so I could pick up my shoes as I would be back out of town the following week and this was my only day available to get them. I was informed that they closed at 5PM SHARP and if I wasn’t in the doors by then they’d unfortunately have to close them and I’d have to try again next week. Meanwhile I understand business is business, there’s also an overarching theme, customer service. Luckily, I got there at 4:58PM and wasn’t denied service for being 60 seconds late only to discover that my shoes were re-​glued as requested but not cleaned! So not only did I leave work early and rush to make sure I got there before 5PM because they would be looking the doors sharp, it was all in vain as my shoes were still dirty. I explained to the worker what I’d left the shoes to have done and he apologized profusely and requested that I left them with him, that he would have them cleaned as requested and ready for pick up the next week. The next week came and I heard nothing from Connie’s. The following Monday I called to check on my shoes, only to learn that the dirty shoes I encountered on my first trip there for pickup were the result of a cleaning. I wish there was an option to upload photos to illustrate just how lackluster of a job they performed on my shoes and they were extremely expensive. I honestly could’ve done a better job at home with a little soapy water and a washrag, and would’ve if it weren’t for time constraints due to my job. I don’t remember the last time I was this disappointed in a stores customer service and work. I’ve heard wonderful things about Gus’ and went but had a hard time finding parking and opted for Connie’s. Needless to say, it doesn’t pay to be lazy.

Great customer service!!! Owner is excellent!!! Fix my lady shoe while we wait… good job and thank u Connie’s shoes for treating us houstonian with your southern charm!!!

Stepping into Connie’s Shoe Repair is like taking a trip back in time. From the busy street they are on, to their quaint store front, to the people inside, everything about Connie’s feels authentic, original, and warm. There is a mountain of vintage shoe boxes lining the walls to the back of the store and a vintage row of shoe shinning seats at the front. Nathan will greet you will a big smile and ask you how he can help.
I actually found this shop through a simple google search and could not have been happier with my experience. I brought a pair of boots to have the heel repaired and was offered two options: a simple repair fixing the problem or a more intensive repair assuring the boots would last longer and stand up to the elements. I choose the later and I am so glad I did. Nathan, Connie’s grandson, explained to me why I should choose one over the other and what the benefits would be of protecting my shoes before they begin to fall apart. I paid only $ 40 to have the soles reinforced, the rubber under the heels replaced, and a solid cleaning.
Nathan will introduce you to the entire team at Connie’s and explain why they are in business and why they strive to make their customer’s happy. The shop has been in Richmond for over 100 years and it’s clear why they are still around. Parking can be a pain, but they are actually willing to come outside and pick up your shoes from your car at the curb if you call ahead.
Check out their website as well — they will accommodate out of town shoe repairs through the mail and even have a bond bailsmen service. Not sure exactly how bail business is doing, but as far as shoes are concerned, I’ve definitely found my go-​to cobblers.

I took a pair of sandals here over the summer. The strap was broken off from the base of the shoe. Connie’s was able to re-​sew the strap, by hand, and the results were perfect — no discernible difference from the other unbroken shoe. Also, it was inexpensive ($ 10) and Nathan and his assistant couldn’t have been more charming and friendly. I would go back and visit them even if I didn’t have a shoe need. They also shine shoes.

I had a pretty bad experience here. I brought some boots here to be taken in at the shaft and the stitching looked terrible. It started coming out after a couple of weeks. The craftsmanship looked like I had sewn them myself. And I was charged a lot of money. I had to take them to Gus’s around the corner to get them fixed (I should have taken them there in the first place but i was in a rush and gus’s was really busy that day — mistake). I hate leaving bad reviews, especially since the gentleman behind the desk is such a nice guy. Hopefully this was a fluke and others have had more positive experiences.