West Portal Shoe Service

Delivered on the promised date. The results were more than expected. The quality of the work is very clear in the small details of the sole replacements. Edgar was extremely knowledgeable and understood exactly what I needed allowing him to customize the shoes. There’s a fine balance between functionality and appearance. I’m very happy with the finished product. This will be my new Repair shop for my finer Dress shoes.

At first I took my red leather purse to the shoe shop down the street, but the surly guy behind the counter quoted me $ 100 to replace the handles and said it wasn’t worth it (it was a $ 200 bag). So I went to West Portal Shoe Service right next to the Empire Theater, and the owner looked it over, we discussed strategy, and quoted me $ 35! Yes, it took two weeks, but he matched the unusual red-​orange color perfectly and it looks great. Later I took in my gray-​green bag and it turned out just as nice. It was a lot more work, but again he charged only $ 35. This was last year and the handles are holding up wonderfully.

I haven’t used their service, but I just ventured all the way here only to learn that they are actually CLOSED on Sundays despite what Unilocal tells you. I admit that I should have called, but seriously… get your hours right. Disappointing.

Great efficient service! Edgar fixed the zipper on my purse and saved it from being tossed in a corner. I got my purse back within 2 weeks and am very happy. Thanks much because I had a difficult time trying to find a reputable business with experience to help me.

I like to give people the benefit of the doubt so I want to believe that the owner thought he was helping me when he made the executive decision to completely remove the handles on my leather bag without my permission. I can’t understand why he would use such poor quality new handles or why he didn’t call and check with me since that wasn’t what I asked and paid him to do. I also think he may have taken the easiest way out as it would have taken some time and care to fix and reinforce the original leather straps that were fraying. Unfortunately he did not take the time to call and ask me if it was Ok to permanently alter my property even though he had my phone number in large clear numbers on the receipt. The bag was a gift and I am very sentimental about it and his changes completely ruined it. I did not like the style or color of the straps he chose and it was mis matched, cheap leather filler. Another shoe repair didn’t even think it was leather. I had left my bag with instructions to only reinforce the handles. I told him it was Ok to sew over it a lot and that it didn’t need to look perfect. It even said exactly, ‘Reinforce Handles’ in his writing on my receipt which I paid in advance. The owner was very defensive and insulting when I went to pick up my bag and tried to tell me he ‘did me a favor’. It is a original, black heavy Italian leather bag that cost several hundred dollars and he thought that he would insult the quality of my bag for his defense as it was well loved and worn to support his poor decision to ruin my property. He didn’t even bother keeping the original handles to return to me. His entire attitude was heavy handed and rude, refusing to take any responsibility. He thought it appropriate to argue even when he was totally wrong in doing work I did not authorize. Initially he refused to refund anything but when I came back he gave me ½ the cost back while still being aggressive in his attitude. Unfortunately my bag is still ruined. This is no way to do business and not honorable. Needless to say I will not go here again and I would caution anyone leaving items to be very very clear about what you want and that he is not to change anything without your prior consent. I didn’t think, when I told him to only REINFORCE my bags original handles, that that gave him the right to remove the completely functioning matching handles (only one was giving out) entirely and throw them away.

New guy seems fine, but like many others, I miss dear John. He was a West Portal staple, and you felt like a member of his family upon entering. Edgar seems fine too, haven’t had much done there lately, but I would recommend he invest in a cleaning service of some sort, or get rid of slow moving inventory.

Best Ever, no matter how much they charge. They’re not inexpensive, but their quality and timing is impeccable. Edgar has done a great job filing the «shoes» of the previous owner.

I am impressed by the repair of my favorite Frye riding boots. The right sole had been worn down enough to create a hole. Albeit a small hole, my sock/​tights probably touched SF streets. Gross, no? Within a week I had my boots back and both had been resoled and polished for $ 45. Appropriate expectations were set out of the gates on time and money. I will return when other shoes are in need.

Friendly and fast service and fair prices. I like this guy and he does a good job on my very expensive and much loved shoes n choos! I prefer him over the grumpy dude down the street. He’s vibramed several pairs of louboutains and practically rebuilt my favorite 10 year old guccis back to their glory!
I think all the old negative reviews are about a previous owner. My encounters have always been more than pleasant.
Me likey

Perfect!
Had a classic pair of cowboy boots from the 80’s that needed a new outsole, insole, the addition of some traction material.
Took about 2 ½ weeks (as quoted) and the cost was within my allocated budget.
Boots feel great again! Friendly staff.
Also, had a leather belt that needed a few new holes punched (smaller …people, thank you.) Only charged me a $ 1 to punch them. Nice!
I will return.

New ownership. Edgar is far more interested in customer service than the previous owner, and work quality is quite good. Prices are a bit high. Will be interested to see what others think & wishing Edgar the best with his new business.

There is a new owner, Edgar. He does EXCELLENT work, and his prices, compared to what other shoe repair places charge, are very reasonable.
Most recently Edgar worked on five pairs of shoes for me. In every case, his work was precise and he gave me back a shoe that looked anywhere from significantly better to brand new.
He’s worked on several pairs of Ferragamos and one pair of Stuart Weitzmans for me. I’ve brought him a variety of problems and he’s fixed them all. He’s repaired loose stitching on a pair of unlined Ferragamo flats, replaced Topy soles and heels on several pairs of shoes, fixed the sock lining on a couple of pairs of shoes and cleaned others.
West Portal’s not the most convenient part of town for some of us, but it’s worth the trip.

Amazing place with knowledgeable and friendly staff! They even resoled a pair of leather high tops and they’re better than when I bought them in Paris!
Have always been dependable and work has been completed when promised. Too bad there aren’t more businesses like this in this day and age!

I always feel like I should pay these guys more than what they charge! They have done a great job repairing a lot of my favorite shoes that otherwise would have ended up in the garbage, and their prices are much lower than any of the places I have taken shoes in the city. The owner and I often have hilarious exchanges when he says that he won’t do what I want (e.g., punch another hole in a strap of a sandal, etc.) because he thinks it will ruin the shoe — a few times when this has happened, I told him I was going to throw them away otherwise, so he ended up doing what I wanted.

John has gone back to Greece, apparently for good.
Not inexpensive but they do it right the first time.

Cheap shoes can be tossed away after they’ve served their time. But, for your expensive, well-​made, high-​quality leather, designer shoes which cost you a bundle, it’s better to get new soles or heels than replace the shoes. They’re not inexpensive here. I recently took in a pair of loafers & to re-​sole the heels cost $ 15 for the pair, but they get it finished in 1 – 2 days.
They used to carry red cards for every 10 shoes you re-​sole, they do one for free. The guys working at this shop are getting older now and I wonder what’s going to happen when they have to retire. Guess I’ll have to look for another local shoe shop and tip toe my way down the street to Tip Toe shoe repair. The store’s opened 6 days a week and will also do handbag repairs.

So, I’ve never actually had shoes fixed here. I brought a pair in, and the guy was really surly. He was busy text messaging in the back, so I waited a few minutes for him to finish up. Then he was rude in explaining the repairs I needed (and I couldn’t figure out if he could actually fix my shoes or not). I left and had them fixed at Haight Street Repair. Haight Street Repair was slightly cheaper and much, much more pleasant.

This is wear I bring all my shoes that are in need of repair. The two men who I always see there are very friendly. Sometimes, they won’t even charge me for the minor work they done on my heels. Who doesn’t like free great service!!!

NO stars. That’s right. And let me tell you why:
1. Dishonest/​Not Trustworthy
2. Inflexible
I took a pair of shoes for heels. it was easy to do and turned out fine. Not necessarily cheap, but fine. I took another pair of shoes for the heel — same job, same outcome. So I thought, i trust this guy. And therein lies my mistake.
I took one of my favorite pairs of shoes from spain (Massimo Dutti) to this guy b/​c the soles were just so worn out b/​c I love them.
What happened?
He pretty much completely changed the shoes.
They were beautiful prada-​inspired (read: cheaper fast-​fashion knockoffs). they were very delicate, suede-​like material, camel-​colored, rounded-​toe heels. really great shoes.
And what did he do? Apparently, he didn’t get the memo that we’re not in the 90s anymore. He replaced the sole w/​this really super thick, bright red sole — need I repeat THICK and RED?
I nearly wanted to cry the shoes looked so bad. The sole even extended far beyond the rounded toe in front — SO hideous.
So I politely asked if he could please match the original color of the sole — dark brown and to also reduce the thickness and also remove the protruding part of the shoe.
in short, he got all pissy b/​c he had to do a little extra work, which he should have done in the 1^st place b/​c I paid him good $ to do it.
but he tried to get around it by using the sole he had available — read: less work, less cost… UGH!!!
He was super inflexible on top of that and i had to practically beg to have him fix the shoes properly.
It was such a horrid experience. I have not gone back again.
I’m being truthful b/​c I know how hard it is to find good shoe people and dry cleaners/tailors…just learn from my mistake!