I was greeted with a pleasant smile and he sold me other products that I asked for besides repairing my shoes! I would recommend this shoe repair shop to my friends and family! read more

I've had my heel tips replaced here for my designer stilettos. They don't last as long as I'd like, which was a bit disappointing after only a few wears but when I'm in a pinch, they've come through with same-day service, and that alone is worth a solid 4 stars. The cobbler himself is very kind, which makes the experience even better. read more

Great service at a great price. The place looks a little run down but their work is top notch

I've been going to him for many many years. He is very efficient and does an excellent job. He can occasionally can come off as strident, so apparently so do I. I love that he listens to the Italian radio. read more

Old school, great work, very fair pricing. Work completed on time as promised. Thank you! read more

Brought in my favorite leather sandals to have the heels repaired. I was prepared to wait a week to pick them up, so I was pleasantly surprised when they said I can pick them up in 2 days. My sandals looked brand new when I got them back. The price for new leather heels was reasonable. The service was polite and efficient. Thank you Essex Shoe Service for extending the life of my favorite pair of sandals! read more

I come here just to have keys made. The shop is pretty cool It's like a time warp in there. Ceilings never dropped - products from a gazillion years ago. Millions of leather belts line the one side of the shop. Italian news radio is always blasting away as the guy works. Its a keeper. read more

I went to get my Frye boots fixed. One of the studs had come of. The Man who was in the front, was quick and let me know that he didn't have the same exact stud but he did his best. The price was reasonable and my boots where looking good. read more

I'm not sure about the haters reviews, but here's my experience. Wife dropped off a handbag for a stitch fix. She said the owner was very nice. I just went back to pick up the bag with the ticket and noticed that they are closed on Wednesdays. The owner was there working in the back and saw me at the door. He quickly came up front to let me in to pay and collect the bag. Very nice man. Bag looked good. read more

This man is overpriced, lifts for shoes are too much, he gave me a price of $15 once. Essex overcharges for everything. Back in the day his prices were reasonable, now he's just a rip off. I used to refer people to him, now I'm telling them to stay away! He fixed a tote bag strap for me a while back, it didn't even hold up. I went there for something else recently and just thought to myself, I'm not paying these high a$$ prices and told him never mind, then he gets an attitude, mad I guess, because he knows he's not getting any money from me that day or any other day for that matter, so with his attitude he says, he has to go back to work and walks away. Fvck his attitude, go back to work and rip off others, but not me. As far as getting keys made there, I had a key made there once, overpriced, never again! I will be taking my business elsewhere!!!!! The owner of Essex Shoe Repair's brother is the owner of Embassy Shoe Repair on 3 S. Jefferson Street in Orange, NJ, he's overpriced too. I wish I could give negative stars!!!!! I hope this rude bastard at Essex Shoe Repair goes out of business, if I had anything to do with it I'd make sure he would!!!!! read more

First time getting shoes redone, but my Stacy Adams are set to last me a few more years and it cost less than buying a pair of new ones.

Yikes! The gentleman behind the desk was rude! He wanted to charge me $15 to replace 2 heel tips with an hour wait, and when I asked if it would potentially damage the shoe, he yelled at me. "WHAT DO YOU THINK I'VE BEEN DOING FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS!?" At first I thought maybe he was kidding, and then I just backed out of the store politely while he sarcastically told me to come back. Creepy! Meanwhile I went to the Lackawanna Shoe Repair and the same job was $8 and took 2 minutes. I won't be back to Essex. read more

I read some less than flattering reviews on google and I felt compelled to give my two cents about this place. So it's total old school like you don't see these days. The owner is old school Italian down to the Italian news radio playing in the background. I read he wasn't that nice but he was nice to me. I think he can be very polarizing and I guess on some days he's nicer than others but who cares. I am only really concerned about whether you do a good job or not. Hey I am a NYer so i can handle a bit of 'tude. I came in with two heels that needed repair. He fixed them the same day and the price was $28 for both. I will be back again. read more

I brought in 2 jackets with broken zippers. It seemed to me like a big job to fix them. However, right on the spot Sam asked if I wanted him to fix them immediately. And he quickly did! I was very surprised since I thought I would have to leave them and return another day. While he worked we had a good conversation. It is clear that he is an expert, having worked in the business for 36 years in Montclair. I am grateful to have found him, and I am glad I have a chance to write this review. read more

Stopped in after confirming over the phone they could do a same-day shoe shine. I dropped off a pair of brown leather, Chelsea boots and came back to pick them up an hour later. I was really impressed with not only how polished they were, but some stains I expected to remain were 100% gone. I am definitely going to bring my other leather shoes here to be cared for. read more

Made an account just for this because reading the bad reviews really made me second guess coming here but can I just say that this man literally is so helpful, very sweet and you can tell that he really wants to help with what fixing you need. Very accommodating and we really need to support our local businesses!!! After comparing places around Nj, he has the most reasonable prices with great results. Def recommending to family and friends and will be coming here from now on. (: read more

Essex shoe service has consistently done phenomenal work. I took 2 pairs of boots in to have them cleaned and the bottoms redone because the heels were down to metal. I was so pleasantly surprised when I picked up these 10 year old boots to see they looked brand new!!! I also took in a gorgeous, expensive leather bag that my friend's dog chewed one of the straps up. I was in disbelief when I saw how perfectly he had repaired it. I honestly don't know how he did it because it's totally symmetrical with the other side. Amazing. AND, he doesn't charge much at all! All in all a great experience. read more

I have been going to Essex Shoe for years and have never been disappointed! Sam also takes expert care of repairing my Louboutin's and even in a hurry he has come through! I would definitely recommend them for all your shoe care needs. read more

If I could rate any lower, I would. The owner was extremely rude and dismissive, and told me he couldn't help me with any of the items I brought in. (I needed strap replacements for two bags and two pairs of heels.) Then, he said he might be able to fix one of the bags if I had a belt that would fit the buckles on the bag, and when I asked him how much it would cost, he responded with, "Why don't you not worry about the cost for now? You don't even know if you have a belt that fits. Just bring it in. Then we'll talk." It was worse in person. Trust me. At another point in the conversation, he said he didn't have any "shiny leather." I told him it didn't have to be shiny, and he cut me off with, "I know, I know, I know." Ugh! P.S.: I went to another shoe repair store afterward in Cedar Grove on Pompton Ave, and the man who works there (Leroy) was much more pleasant. read more

He had what I needed but I'm a fan of proper approach, of which, this guy is most certainly lacking. I will never return simply due to his terrible attitude and condescending behavior. His shop is a dump and I'd like to see somebody buy him out. I really don't care how good he is at his craft. Be nice ! read more

Despite calling ahead, describing what I needed, when I arrived a very surley man acted as if I was out of my mind to ask for shoe repair -- even a simple shine -- while I wait. Ok so he couldnt do the tip on another, but a shine? After I called? What a disappointment. read more

As a native Montclairion, (is that a word), I've been having my shoes repaired by Sam for over 20 years. After picking up my shoes today, i have that just got a haircut glow! My knee high Frye's good as new, my Isabel Marant boots brought back from deaths door, my Frye Beatle boots no longer embarrassing. Thank you for your expert craftsmanship. For those of you looking for a shine, spring sole spruce up or your winter salt and scuff removal, you will be delighted by his work. read more

The gentleman who helped me both times at this store is lovely! Fixed my favorite shoes in just a few minutes while I walked my puppy. Quality work, very nice man, quaint old-school shop with great finds! I will DEFINITELY contribute coming to him to keep up my shoes! Very pleasant experience, both times. read more

I have been taking my shoes here for over 10 years. If you invest in good shoes you should have the best shoemaker to care for them. Thank you read more

Always excellent service at Essex Shoe repair. I thought they had closed but was very happy to find out that they just moved down Bloomfield Ave. highly recommend them. read more

Great shoe and leather goods repair. Priced right unlike his competitor in Upper Montclair. A little further but always parked in front.

Stay away from this place. The guy is the most rude individual I've seen in any sort of retail establishment. I experienced it on two different occasions. On the last, as I was describing the issue with my shoe that I was seeking to have resolved, he looks at me and says "Are you going to stop talking and listen?" Jackass. Would love to see him go out of business. Would be a good thing for Montclair. read more

Have been here a number of times for soles/heels and have always experienced excellent work. The prices are more than fair, especially for someone that still takes the time to stitch soles on vs glue them on---not sure where these other people are going to get their work done. Easily on par with Giovanni in Hoboken and Rago Brothers in Morristown. read more

Great service. Best repair shop around. Wished you best success in your be location. Always a pleasure to do business with Sam. He treats you like family read more

Yay! Essex Shoe Repair is still around! He is the best craftsman in the area. If you have shoes or handbags or other items you want to keep looking their very best, then this is certainly the place to go. He's the best! He's got a pleasant personality and his prices are very reasonable. I am a real fan of established small business owners and I was almost in tears when I discovered that Essex Shoe Repair wasn't in its usual location. Thankfully they are now located at 320 Bloomfield Ave which is midway between Lackawanna and S. Willow. We can only congratulate a business owner for staying true to the community and their craft for so long. Congratulations and good luck. read more

I have been a customer of Essex Shoe Repair for more than 20 years. The owner, Sam, is very accommodating and honest. His prices are fair compared to purchasing a new pair of high quality leather shoes. The shop is located in the middle of Montclair Center. Shop is very "old timey" no fancy displays or bottled water while you wait. That's fine with me cause I want to keep my cost down. Sam has replaced zippers on boots, resoled various shoes and he even created special lifts for inside my shoes after my hip surgery. I hope he stays here as long as possible. I wouldn't think of going anywhere else. read more

This place is so bad it should get no stars but yelp makes you give something. I have tried this shoe repair two, maybe three, times when I am short on time as I live in town. This place does inferior work, if not downright horrible. On top of the terrible quality, the owner's attitude is horrific. The fact that he wants payment upfront and then does not want to answer any questions when you inspect your goods and politely question the work is unacceptable. I prepaid $24 for new tips and heels and what i got back was the shoddiest work ever. He didn't give me new heels, he reworked the existing worn ones and slapped a ton of black shoe polish over it. My new tips are so wavy, a blind person would do better. I finally decided to stand my ground after not being pleased at all with his work, again, and he became hostile, defensive telling me that I'm not special just because I'm a paying customer. Then proceeded to use profanity, telling me to "shut the f*** up (I kid you not). I was stunned to say the least. I think he mistook me for his wife or gomatta in the heat of his anger. He, or whoever he has repairing the shoes, ruined my favorite, beautiful pair of 9 West heels. Now I have to take them to where I should have gone to start with in Little Falls but didn't want to spend the time. I'm just hoping they can fix this jerk's botch job. I will never go back to this place, ever. No one should use this guy. And he needs to step into the 21st century as far as what he thinks of customers and the quality of work he gives in exchange for a fair price. My family is Italian. My aunts and uncles were tailors, so I have a profound appreciation and respect for the craft of these type of professions. This guy is an embarrassment to all the fine craftspeople who take pride and deliver quality work with great service at a price that matches what you get. read more

NO STARS!!!!! And beware of this place!!! The owner is a hot head who would argue with the pope. He is honestly BEYOND hostile. I brought a new never-been-worn pair of Louboutin's to this guy to get the red rubber on the bottoms of the front padding area & this guy who's says he's been doing this for 30 years ruined them!! Not only did he use a very discolored red rubber (& yes I know there are no perfect matches to the china red) he very sloppily glued this rubber all way up the arch practically covering all of the Louboutin signature!! And in doing this he got glue all over the suede and scratched both shoes up. And god only knows what he did to leave black marks all around the edges; it looks hideous!! Anyone who knows anything about shoes, especially someone who repairs and cleans shoes for a living, and screams at you " I've been doing this for the past 30 years!" should absolutely know better. Apparently his defense is "I'm not a mind reader so I don't know better than to glue the rubber all the way up the arch". How unprofessional! And what's interesting is he has done another pair for me & they turned out fine so I think he did this pair blind folded & drunk. DO NOT GO HERE!! read more