Shoe Making And Repair Business Is Booming

Two brothers are the heart and sole of a shoemaking and repair business, which has seen an increase in foot traffic during the pandemic.

Despite the adverse effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on small and medium size businesses, a shoe making and repair shop is standing on its own two feet. Owner of The Shoe Doctor Gino Wilson says sales have actually increased.

30 years ago, Wilson and his brother Ashley Wilson started with a hammer, pliers and a dream, after watching their father make shoes. Today, the store on Carmichael Road repairs about 50 shoes each day. In the middle of the pandemic, Wilson said most of his customers were young men in need of sneaker repairs. Today, most of their customers are women who want their pumps fixed.

As customers feel the pinch of high prices, the brothers say it’s cheaper to repair shoes than to purchase new ones. Wilson says Bahamians are now waking up to the idea of repairing their shoes rather than throwing them away.

The brothers say they will ensure the sole of every shoe is in tact.