Joe's Shoe Repair

Joe Bangargan fixes problems all day long. Whether it is a broken heel or a patch that needs to be sewn on a backpack, the owner of Joe's Shoe Repair on Kanan Road tackles all jobs with an easy smile and a "can-do" attitude.

"I've been coming here for years, and I've been bringing in different items for him to repair," said a longtime customer. "He always gets it done within the time frame he promised."

The shoemaker from Armenia

Bangargan learned the tricks of the shoe repair trade in his native Armenia. He took classes here and there, but credits constant practice and an insatiable curiosity for helping him hone his craft.

"I am not choosy with clients or the type of repair jobs I will accept. I can probably fix almost anything with leather," said Bangargan.

One-man operation

Joe's Shoe Repair attracts customers from 15 to 20 miles away, according to Bangargan. He knows, because he personally tends to each and every one of them. Being a one-man operation, Bangargan answers the phone, repairs almost everything on-site, and puts in six days, 55 hours, every week.

Most customers come in for shoe repair, which can include such services as attaching a new sole or stretching. Shoes that need to be stretched cost about $5 a pair; boots typically cost about $10 a pair.

Bangargan also repairs leather luggage, purses, jackets, belts and watch bracelets. The cost depends on the size, type of leather, and extent of the damage.

"For this, I charged $135," Bangargan said, pointing to a brown lamb leather jacket with holes and a zipper in need of fixing, "because I had to find the same type of leather in the closest shade possible."

Shoeshine prices range from $5 to $15, again depending on the type of shoes. Bangargan will also duplicate keys on-site with house keys typically costing $2.50 and car keys from $5 to $7.

A section of the shop is devoted to shoes, belts, purses and wallets for sale. "These are the items that have been forgotten or were never claimed," explained Bangargan. To recoup his fees, he sells them at cost.

Neighborhood fixture

"I think the shop has been around for as long as I can remember," said one patron. "It's sort of an institution around here. Everyone knows about Joe's."

Bangargan runs his business like a true, laid-back neighborhood store. There is no price list visible. He issues no claim stubs and asks for no deposit. Most of his customers are not price-sensitive and rely on his word alone that the job won't cost them an arm and a leg.

"They trust me," Bangargan said. "I don't over-charge and I finish most jobs in two to three days, or even on the same day, if they request."

Around the 540-square-foot unit he leases, the Singer and Landis sewing machines take up a sizable amount of space. One Singer antique sewing machine has been in his possession for more than a decade and probably costs more than $5,000 if purchased today, according to Bangargan.

"It's not a capital-intensive business. Once you purchase good sewing equipment, you just need to maintain them," he said.

Conservative in his business approach, Bangargan likes to maintain a positive cash flow and frowns on the extensive borrowing that some businesses are prone to undertake.

No repair shortage

When business slowed down at the start of the recession, Bangargan kept a positive attitude despite his 30 to 35 percent decrease in sales.

"I knew we would rebound sooner or later," Bangargan said. "There will always be things to repair."