Ponytail Shoe Shine Parlor

I happened upon this place while visiting the tailor upstairs. I needed some shoe repairs done, and figured that since it is right across the street from an exit to the Metro station I use every weekday, it would be more convenient than the place I typically patronize six blocks west This turned out to be a highly erroneous assumption.
While the tailor upstairs is quiet and professional, the shoe repair downstairs looks like something out of an Edward P. Jones short story. There’s a shoe shine guy, and various people sitting around both inside and outside shooting the breeze — and not about the new bars and small-​plates restaurants in the area. Some of the signage (hand written on poster board) made it unclear whether the shoe repair counter was even open for business. The proprietor indicated that it was, but that he was the only person doing repairs and that he could not get to my job for awhile — he estimated it would be ready in six business days. He also quoted a price about 30 percent higher than the one I was accustomed to paying six blocks west for the same work. Since I was going on vacation for a week, I surmised this would not be a problem.
Six business days later (a Tuesday) I came in, and the assistant who works there said that the proprietor had not gotten to the shoes yet, but would do so in the next day or two. I returned on Friday. The proprietor was working on the shoes when I came in – so they still weren’t ready. I was told to return on Saturday. However, the only staff person there on Saturday is the shoeshine man, and he said they weren’t ready. The shoes were finally ready on Tuesday of the following week — 11 business days after I brought them in.
Workmanship was good, but could not override the high prices, slow work, and total lack of reliability. I will not be returning.

Lady was dude, had an attitude and said «cash only». I can care less if the service is right but knowing how to talk to someone counts and there are plenty of shoe repairs around who take credit. Never again

Ponytail Shoe Shine has worked on two pairs of shoes for me. The first was a pair of Via Spigas where I had caught the heel in a groove and ripped the leather. Very disappointing as it was only the second time I had worn them. They were repaired within two hours and it was impossible to find the repair for a very reasonable price.
I have also had boots repaired. Each time the shoes are returned with a beautiful shine on them.

Wow– I would stop in here even if I didn’t need my heels fixed but I will start with the shoe repair part. The owner did an excellent job and had my gnarley chewed up shoes done in one hour. I came to DC on vacation but really needed to get my shoes fixed– I was down to the nail! I also had some scrapes on the heel and toe. I found the shoe spot on Unilocal,walked in and asked if there was anyway he could fix it today– he it all fixed in an hour! He really did a great job– better than back home. He also only charged me $ 13 even though I was clearly from out of town, given a rush job, and my shoes needed a lot of work.
What really makes this place stand out in addition to great shoe repair is the customer service and friendly atmosphere from EVERYONE. There are a few guys who do shoe shines in the front when you walk. They each respectfully said hello, how are you, have a wonderful weekend, etc.
The owners son is learning to work the cash register– pretty adorable. All in all a great experience for something that could have just been a 2min transaction.

We went for the shoe shine service. Everyone there is extremely friendly– there’s a very positive small hometown shop vibe to it. The prices are difficult to beat and the service far exceeds what they charged us. I would recommend this shop to anyone in the area.
For the response that said the place is messy and disorganized– I’m not sure if that person is familiar with family style businesses. They do things the old-​fashioned way here and are very down-​to-​earth.

Good shoe repair is hard to find at a reasonable price but Ponytail takes care of that. The guys are very nice and knowledgeable and fast. You can get heels done in an hour or leave them for a few days to get a really nice job done. I took my boyfriend’s boots there and they fixed the stitching on the toe, a pretty tough job!
I also love that this place is old school U St! Keep supporting small business and check them out.

Haven’t had shoe work done there but highly recommend for the shine. Old school and very good. If you want to be pampered go somewhere else. If you want a solid shoe shine this is the place. Good people and they do a great job. A lot of shoe shine places shine the shoes and you’re done regardless of whether they’re really there. These guys work on your shoes until they look right.

This is the worst place I have ever been to. The store is a complete mess. I showed the gentleman my shoes and what needed to be done. He asked me to call on Monday to confirm he could do it. I called and no one answered nor did they return my voicemail. I went to pick up the shoes 2 days after they were supposed to be done and he had done nothing! Said he was a one guy shop! I was leaving for vacation and needed to take the shoes. Why quote someone a day they will be ready if you won’t stick to it. Never go there!

Friendly staff, great service, great prices. I’ve been here a bunch of times to have the stitching on old boots repaired, to have heels replaced, to have the soles of shoes replaced, to have leather cleaned, and to have shoes polished. They did a good job with all of it.
There’s also a great tailor upstairs.

I haven’t received my heels yet but I already know I was very happy to come here.
I’ve walked by here a few times, and each time, there are people kind of standing around outside and talking loudly. I didn’t pay much attnetion to them and hurried inside to find the place packed with people around 6 pm this past Tuesday. I think a couple of guys were getting their shoes shined and a couple of people were waiting for their shoes.
When I first walked in, a worker stopped shining a customer’s shoes to greet me and ask how I was doing. I asked if they fixed heels, and he told me kindly to go to the counter and pointed to the back of the store.
I waited at the counter for a minute and then two young girls met me. I asked them about fixing my heels, and the one girl yelled for her father. Her father and I talked for a few minutes. He said he is never going to return my shoes the way I brought them in, which I take to mean they’ll be in better shape. He said he couldn’t raise the heels but told me what he would do (replace the leather on the heels and fix the inside of the back of my heels) for $ 15. He then asked if next Saturday was ok, explaining he was taking a vacation (staying in the area but not working) since he hadn’t taken one in more than 2.5 years since the owner passed away. Of course, I was ok with that. He asked for my name and called me «Ms. (insert last name)» and wished me a good day. He was very nice.
In any case, I’m already looking forward to coming back and asking how his staycation was. Seems like he is very hardworking and deserving of a few days off.
FYI. I paid by cash unsure whether they take credit card.

Incredible. $ 13 to fix a pair of heels that’s been to Hell and back. That’s amazing. I called ahead to see if my shoes can be repairs within about an hour of time. I tried calling another place and was told it too late, then I called this place and was promised I would have my shoes in about an hour. And they delivered their promise :)
I was so impressed with their work I wore my now like-​new shoes right away!

I have been to about three different shoe shine options and this place is by far the best. Good prices, great service, and a great shine. It definitely exceeds my expectations.

You never have to look again! Ask for Michael Murray. He is the best cobbler in all of Washington DC! He has taken 4 pairs of shoes with rubber bottoms and turned them into Leather soled shoes for me! I am a professional woman that has a very hard time finding shoes I like and he has turned $ 100 shoes into something I can keep just like nice men’s shoes.
Very affordable and locally owned for years!!! Go here.