Jimmy Can Renew Your Shoes

Jimmy's Show Re-Nu is without a doubt one of my favourite shops in the city. It's just so darn USEFUL. Maybe this hole in the wall cobbler-shop is old news to you, but just in case it's not, I had to pass on the details.

Because my man Jimmy is a shoe genius.

I admit I have a THING for shoes. And no, it's not a Carrie Bradshaw thing. (Hello. That show was cancelled three years ago. We need to get over it.) It's more like an obsessive comfort thing. I like pretty shoes, but I also like comfy shoes. It's hard to find a pair that marries those two things. So when I do, I like to keep 'em around for awhile. But sometimes that's' hard because walking around on our city streets has a nasty way of destroying even the best footwear.

And I hate, hate, hate when that happens.

What can I say? The concrete jungle is seriously rough on your soul... I mean, soles. And as heel after heel wore down, and toe after toe became scuffed, I found myself despondent over the state of my shoes. Before I found Jimmy, I mean. Because this guy can fix practically anything and he's cheap as all get out.

Jimmy has replaced heels on at least five pairs of my work/dress shoes. He's installed new rubber soles on boots that I would otherwise not have been able to wear, for fear of slipping and falling on my face. He's replaced leather straps and made scuffs and tears disappear. And he's never charged me more than $10 a pair.

He's not a big talker (sometimes I wonder how much English he speaks) and he operates like a dry cleaner. You show up, plop your shoes on the counter, show him the damage and he shrugs. He never promises a fix, but he's never once failed me, so I'm confident in his abilities.

Next, he fills out a little tag for you to take home. Your shoes will generally be ready for pick up in a few days. You pay when you get them back (cash only). Considering how much new shoes cost, and how hard it can be to find ones you like, that are comfortable, and that are already perfectly worn in, it's totally worth it.

Jimmy's Shoe Re-Nu
2572 Granville St.
(Just south of Broadway, downstairs on the East side, right next to the B-line bus stop)
(604) 266-0322