Shoe and Leather Repair - Astoria

Fortunately Astoria has no shortage of shoe and leather repair artisans that have a solution to all your worn-out shoe problems. There is so much to see and do in Astoria. No matter what your pleasure is, Astoria has something for you. Astoria Park and Socrates Sculpture Park beckon the outdoor lovers among us.

There are flea markets and street fairs all over the place. The superb cafes and restaurants that decorate 30th Avenue will tempt any appetite. With springtime in full bloom, you'll definitely want to walk around, get some fresh air, exercise and take it all in. That's the beautiful thing about Astoria. Almost everything is within walking distance.
　
But oh, the wear and tear on that old pair of super comfortable shoes you just can't bring yourself to throw out. And what about that closet full of shoes that are starting to look a little worse for wear. An expert cobbler can make that almost ready-for-the-trash heap pair of shoes look and feel new again. 

Zhicay's Shoe Repair - Astoria

From the moment that you walk through the door at Zhicay's Shoe Repair in Astoria, you are enveloped in the rich, welcoming scent of leather. And you are greeted by the warm smile of Gonzalo, Zhicay's proud owner and expert cobbler.
　
Gonzalo will treat your shoes, handbags and leather jackets as if they were his own. This is a refreshing, old-school approach you might have thought had long gone out of style.
But it's alive and well at Zhicay. Located at 23-04 28 Street, Zhicay's phone number is (718) 726-1294. Their motto is "We give your shoes new life."
　
The truth of that statement is evident in the quality of work that we saw for ourselves when visiting the store. On his phone, Gonzalo showed us a few photos of shoes various customers had brought in for repair. Their shoes had huge holes in the sole or the heels were badly worn out. We had no idea how these shoes could ever be salvaged and worn again.
　
But then Gonzalo showed us the finished product, after he worked his magic. We were amazed. The shoes looked as good as new. A patient man, Gonzalo took time out of his busy day to show us the different machines he uses in his work. The passion he feels for making his customers happy was very tangible. But Gonzalo had a long journey to success as a business owner in Astoria.
　
Gonzalo hails from a small mountain town in Ecuador. After school, he liked to help his dad in the shoe repair shop. "Fixing shoes, making them shine again, is in my blood. It's a family tradition." Gonzalo explained as he reflected on his past. "It's more than just a way to pay the bills."
　
Settling down in New York as a young man, he eventually found work at a shoe repair shop in the World Trade Center. Gonzalo worked at the WTC from 1988 until tragedy struck on September 11, 2001.
　
Gonzalo has owned Zhicay's Shoe Repair since 2004. He answered a "business for sale" advertisement and, looking over the store, he decided that Zhicay's would become part of his quest to achieve the American dream. It's a family affair. Gonzalo's daughter Diana, who is a college student, and son Gonzalo Jr. help out in the store, as does their mom, Letici
　
Most customers are from the neighborhood, but Gonzalo told us that he also has people coming in from Manhattan and out on Long Island.
　
Gonzalo showed us just how he resoles leather shoes and demonstrated the stretching machine. This device can make your too-tight shoes or boots a little wider and much more comfortable. All cleaning is done meticulously by hand. Gonzalo uses quality products like Meltonian to make your shoes look their best. Meltonian not only gives your shoes a cream shine, but it helps to protect the leather.
　
With winter now finally over, you might want to bring in those soiled Uggs for a nice spring cleaning. Gonzalo utilizes a special shampoo on Uggs that will get the dirt out. One of the professional challenges that Gonzalo loves to meet is working with very expensive, brand-new designer shoes such as those made by Christian Louboutin. When resoling these delicate, luxury shoes, the challenge is to disturb the original craftsmanship as little as possible. His expert, gentle touch does the job, every time.
　
Zhicay's is a clean, unpretentious shoe repair shop. It's a place where serious work is being done by an artisan who genuinely cares. While at the store, we watched Gonzalo interact with a customer who had stopped by to pick up her shoes. She was extremely pleased with his work.
　
By the way, if you have luggage that's seen better days, Gonzalo or his wife can replace the handle or do a little touch-up to prolong the life of that reliable suitcase. Gonzalo loves being part of the Ditmars/Astoria community. Before wrapping up our most enjoyable visit, we asked Gonzalo if he had a few words for his neighbors. He did. "Just try us once and you will like our work. We want to see you again, not only as a customer, but as a new friend."
　
Sincere words from a true craftsman who is proud to carry on the worldwide, centuries-old tradition of being the local shoe cobbler.