Etowah – If you, like many of us, have been looking for someone to repair your shoes, boots or pocketbooks, you must have discovered that in the local area most of the cobblers have retired, moved away or sadly passed way. After some searching, Alan Reynolds has been found. He is a third generation cobbler, whose grandfather, Beverly, started the business in Hendersonville in 1948. The shop was on 7th Avenue near the depot. Alan’s father, Jim Reynolds, worked as a cobbler as well. Alan would stop by the business after school early on and later when at East Henderson, where he learned the trade from his family. Later the business moved to 435 Church Street and was at that location for at least 25 years. Now Alan Reynolds has a shop—Reynolds Shoe Repair— right next to his house in Etowah at 23 Avery Drive, which is on an unpaved road across from Etowah Fireplace. At last a cobbler has been found and your leather items can be repaired.
Alan Reynolds’ business covers many aspects of repair with many machines in the shop. He fixes ladies and men’s heels and soles, puts zippers in boots, and jackets. He recommends protective soles, which have a thin rubber layer, preventing slipping on slick floors and never have to be redone. He repairs belts, pocketbooks, and can custom make a knife or gun holster. He does orthopedic work as well, building up shoes to fit more comfortably or perhaps put a heel pad inside if needed. He can clean boots or help get the mildew off leather items. Over the years there have been some unusual jobs, such as making boots for various Santa Clauses, or boots for the Beast in Beauty and the Beast at Flat Rock Playhouse. In fact he has even made shoes for dogs in need!
So what about the price and amount of time to get a repair done? As demand is high with customers coming from all over—even as far as Greenville, S.C. and Canton— the average time for a job is approximately 2 weeks. For new ladies heels the cost will run about $32 or boot heels or men’s soles $38. A deposit is needed. The business is open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm. The phone number is 828 708-0788. This is happpy news: your beloved item can be repaired locally at Reynolds Shoe Repair in Etowah.
Sharpening Tools
Many tools need to be sharpened after usage. Ken Bowers in the Hendersonville/ Mills River Ace Hardware Store sharpens hedge trimmers, clippers, pruners, knives, scissors, and more. Chain saws and lawn mower blades can be sharpened there as well. Bowers started to learn the trade when he lived on a farm with his grandfather as a youngster, where he learned that axes and hatchets often needed to be sharpened. Just bring the items into the Ace Hardware store at 3340 Boylston Hwy #10, Mills River, NC 28759 for sharpening. In fact at all 5 Young Ace Hardware stores (Weaverville, North Asheville, South Asheville, Enka Candler and Mills River) items can be left to be sharpened. Generally speaking, the cost for most knives — pocket and kitchen— to be sharpened is $8.00; scissors $6.00, and pruners $7.00.
Sharpening events take place at other stores in the area. Foam & Fabrics at 3049 Hendersonville Road in Fletcher often has a monthly morning when ISharpenit comes to the store. There will be an event there on Saturday, October 5th. Items are sharpened while you wait. iSharpenIt offers a daily Drop Off Service at Beginnings Quilts at 1038C Greenville Hwy Hendersonville, 28792 normally with a one-two day turn around. All drop off items must be prepaid: check, cash or credit card. The website suggests, “Bring us your dull knives, scissors, pinkers and small garden tools.” For more information on other locations and events, go to: https://www.isharpenit.com/sharpening-event-calendar.