The staff at model shoe repair went above and beyond to find an impossible part to replace a latch on my favorite purse. Their communication and attention to detail was above par. I highly recommend them! read more

Model Shoe Renew - Purse backpack with latch replacement - Shoe Repair Near Me - Berkeley, California

Super friendly and knowledgeable -- they've never steered me wrong! The one time I didn't take their advice, I regretted it, and had to go back and do the thing they initially recommended anyway. They've given me great advice about shoe care and insoles, and they're always prompt with their repairs! I've had them put on top soles for shoes, repair welts, polish shoes, repair holes in sneakers, and put in reinforcing patches on multiple occasions. They're the only people I trust when it comes to what I put on my feet! Highly recommend! read more

I brought a pair of treasured cowboy boots which needed a lot of help into MSR and am so pleased with the work they did. I inherited the boots from a relative and had been wearing them for years without any interventions, so they sorely needed new heels and soles, and there were a few very worn parts of leather that I didn't know what to do with. The team at Model Shew Renew did such a beautiful job. The new soles and heels look and feel perfect, and they polished the leather as well. They gave my treasured boots a new life, and I'll definitely be bringing all my future shoe needs to them. Thank you!! read more

I am so happy I stumbled upon this place. I had a few older handbags that needed repairs. I was skeptical because atp my bags are vintage and I hadn't heard of this place. When I stopped everyone was extremely kind. Not just to me but also to my busy body 4 year old. Judy was so patient with him. I finally picked up my bags and they did such an AMAZING job! My Gucci Boston bag from 2010 particularly looks brand new. But I'm happy with all four they restored. I will definitely be returning and recommending. read more

I was in need of a great, dependable cobbler and had been in and out of research to find one for over a year. I acquired a vintage Balenciaga bag, but the cross body strap was too long. I needed a simple refinement of my bag strap and they were able to help. You will see the name Judy appear in many reviews for this cobbler. I was assisted by her team of guys when I dropped my strap off on a Sunday. The strap was ready by Tuesday, and the repair/revision was seamless. At time of pick-up, I seen a lady, and asked, "Are you Judy? You're famous in the reviews for this place." She was warm and funny, and shared that she did the repair "all by herself". I'm looking forward to having other items cleaned and restored by Judy, and can give a strong recommendation. One thing about this location, parking can be tricky but it's not impossible. Also, know what you want and be clear on your asks, especially with measurements and requested adjustments. This helps you get the result you want. Sustainability is so key in this day and age, if you have items that need a little refresh or shoes that need more support- bring them in. Try with one item, and go from there. read more

Model Shoe Renew - Store front view at night, since they're open until 7P Mon-Sat - Shoe Repair Near Me - Berkeley, California

Walked into this store last Thursday after being referred by another shoemaker who said, "They do good work, but they're expensive." That turned out to be accurate, except the "good work" part never happened. I brought in a bag with a ripped handle and even supplied my own hardware to make the repair easier and cheaper. At first, I was quoted $90, more than the value of the bag itself. After asking for a simple repair instead of the unnecessary extras the owner was pushing, he agreed to do it for $25, gave me a green ticket, and told me to come back Saturday. I couldn't make it Saturday, so I returned Monday instead. When I walked in, I stood there for several minutes before anyone even acknowledged me. Then they took my ticket and spent a long time trying to find my bag. During all of this, the owner, Peter, started yelling at one employee in the back so aggressively it nearly brought her to tears. Then came the real issue, absolutely no work had been done on the bag at all. Instead of speaking to me professionally, Peter stayed in the back yelling at employees and then yelling toward me across the store. When I asked how long it would take since the agreed deadline had already passed, he became confrontational and accused me of recording him simply because I was holding my phone. I was not recording video, I was typing notes. Rather than taking responsibility for missing the deadline and failing to complete the work, he blamed his employees, raised his voice repeatedly, and created an uncomfortable scene in front of customers and staff. He eventually refused the repair altogether, demanded the green ticket back, and threw my refund at me. This place is overpriced, disorganized, and run by someone with zero professionalism or accountability. Watching the way he treated his employees was honestly worse than the wasted time. No customer should have to deal with that kind of behavior, and no employee should have to work under it. Avoid this place if you value professionalism, communication, or basic respect. read more

Model Shoe Renew - Shoe Repair Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I asked the shop to sew the wristlet on a clutch. The stitching on half an inch of leather had come undone. The first time I used the purse after getting it fixed it came undone. AND you could see that no one had stitched it. All they did was glue it together (I could have done that). I emailed them photos, as I was no longer in California, asking for a refund. No one responded. I called and the owner got on the phone and yelled at me and hung up. It was all a little wild. The charged me $20 for it, too. Same exact placement of dangling threads as when I brought it in for them to fix read more

Model Shoe Renew - The same exact placement of dangling threads as when I brought it in to begin with. - Shoe Repair Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Great service, timely turnaround, and my boots look fantastic. Their full service workup really improved the look of the leather and its so soft now. The soles look great and even have the Thursday boot stamp right where it should be. I'm excited to wear these boots for years to come read more

When my wife's favorite pair Coco's needed some TLC Model Shoe came to the rescue. As she almost wore them everyday, she failed to notice the sole and front tip were in severe need of repair and resoling. We entrusted the team at Model Sole to bring them back to life and were not disappointed, they did an incredible job and she couldn't be happier. An old time cobbler with mad skills, we will be return. Bravo! read more

It honestly hurts me to leave a bad review for a local business. I genuinely try to support small specialty shops because they're rare and important. But Model Shoe is the perfect example of a business that survives only because there are so few options left in town. They essentially hold the monopoly in this niche -- and unfortunately, they act like it. I called ahead needing a specific leather dye to finish restoring a pair of leather boots. I explained exactly what I had been using, and the staff assured me -- twice -- that the product they were giving me was the same thing, just different packaging. I believed them, even though the price was almost 300% above market value. I'm happy to pay more for convenience and to support a local store, so the price wasn't the problem. The problem is that the product they sold me ruined my boots. When I called to let them know what happened, they told me to come in so they could help. What followed was one of the most frustrating experiences I've had with a business. The woman in the back tried to "fix" my boots by blasting them with an old electric fan, applying heat directly to the leather -- something anyone with even basic knowledge knows can cause further damage. When I politely asked if there was another option, she abruptly said she was "done" and handed me off to the owner. The owner came out immediately defensive. He grabbed two random scraps of leather (nothing like the leather of my boots), applied the dye to them, and insisted the product was fine. He blamed me, claiming I must have waterproofed or conditioned only half of one boot -- an accusation that makes no sense and is simply untrue. At no point did he take responsibility for giving me the wrong information. He refused to acknowledge the issue, and even suggested that if I had a problem, I should "go sue the billion-dollar company" that makes the dye. When I asked how I could repair the damage, he told me to find a leather shop because they "aren't one," despite the fact that they sell leather dyes and advise people on how to use them. No refunds were given or offered. The whole interaction showed zero accountability, zero professionalism, and zero customer care. I walked in hoping for help and guidance. I walked out feeling blamed, dismissed, and with damaged boots. I truly wish I could support a local business like this, but based on my experience, I cannot recommend this place to anyone. read more

Model Shoe Renew - Shoe Repair Near Me - Berkeley, California

Model Shoe Renew did an amazing job restoring and matching the color to my leather jacket that I thought was permanently ruined. I'll definitely return for future work and highly recommend them. Thanks so much for your great craftsmanship! read more

Model Shoe Renew - Before - Shoe Repair Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Not recommended for high end work-sloppy, poor materials and inattention to detail. Do not take your Goodyear welted shoes here. Took a pair of Crockett and Jones Harvard loafers here-they are Goodyear welted, unlined and made of shell cordovan. It's a well made shoe so I was a little uneasy about taking it anywhere, but I had some previous experience with a good repair on pair of CXL Wolverines 1000 miles here as well as a pair of suede chukkas with gum soles, so I took the chance rather than wait 2.5 months to send back to C&J's Northhampton repair facility-this was a mistake. Upon receipt of my shoes, there were a number of issues that were clearly lacking: 1. The outsole stitch was unusually large for a dress shoe and lacked the density of the manufacturer. The stitches looked to be about 1cm vs. the manufacturer's 3 stitches per cm. This is a big deal as far as durability goes, as larger and fewer stitches will become frayed more easily and start separate from the welt. 2. The stitch channels were also uneven and looked clumsy. 3. The outsole looked to be of poor quality and had a rough and unfinished quality to them. 4. Perhaps worst of all, the lining had visible stitches (lazy) thru the insole. A Goodyear welted shoe should not be stitched thru the insole! This can damage the integrity of the shoe and make it harder to resole! Goodyear welted shoes have a rib that allows for this stitch. Additionally, this is an unlined shoe, so this is almost as egregious as the shoddy outsole work. 5. There was dried glue all over the shoe as if there was no quality inspection of the work. Do not take your Goodyear welted shoes here. I don't think they know how to properly repair them. It would be better for everyone if they just said upfront that they either don't have the equipment or skill to do the work. read more

Model Shoe Renew - Repair (bottom of photo), vs. another pair (same model), un-repaired. - Shoe Repair Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I guess I'll start by saying they did a great job on the re-welt of my friend's Red Wings. However, the most recent full resole for my boots was not very good. Firstly, I left a typed list of requests including removing old welt stitches. When I dropped them off, the lady at the counter ensured me that they would be removed as well. However, as you can see they were left in and stitched over. This is flat out lazy cobbling and very disappointing since I specifically asked for this. They also added a double midsole which I did not request or want. This will just add additional stiffness and weight. There was also a chunk of glue and sanding abrasion on the heel counter. Unfortunately, I will not be taking any more shoes here for this type of work, especially ones that have an appearance that I care more about. read more

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JUDY!!!!! Called her in panic from the hotel my belt was too big, Judy answered pleasantly. When I arrived she was busy in the rear greeted me very nicely and immediately addressed issue of my belt needing new holes. Her kindness compelled me to make a purchase of a new belt that fits! Definitely if I lived in the East Bay this would be my spot to get my boots shined ! She did say they do a mail service...hmmm what's the turn around time ? read more

A few months so, I was lucky to find an authentic CHANEL bag at a thrift shop. The inside leather was so damaged, many of my local shops were unable to fix it. I reached out to Peter and he was honest about the dry leather, and recommended I come in person so he could give a better judgement. It took about 2 months to repair, and it was worth the wait!! It looks brand new and he was able to restitch the double C. I have luxury taste but not luxury money, and Peter saved this beautiful bag. I would recommend him for any leather repair, I live 30 mins away and it's worth it to save things you love. read more

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Good quality work at a great price. Will be returning again in the future. Thanks for fixing my shoes

They fixed my beloved platforms to near original state. Very nice guys. $60. Some difficult parking on Polk

My latest success story?? Brand new fendi boots scuffed on the first wear. The team RESSURECTED my boots! See before and after. Love this place, skills, pricing. Service! read more

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Service: 5/5 Punctuality: 5/5 Communication: 5/5 I had a purse that needed a small fix and came across Model Shoe Renew on Yelp. I DM'd them on Instagram and received a quick response that they'd be able to help, so I brought it in. Everyone was so helpful and the process was seamless. I let them know I was on a short timeline and they were able to fix it the same day within a few hours. I haven't worn this purse in so long but after getting it fixed, it's going to be one of my everyday bags again. Definitely recommend this place! They are quick, responsive, and have the best people to assist. I'll definitely be coming back if I have any repairs for my bags/shoes. Thanks again! read more

Model Shoe Renew - Fixed the end of my zipper bag - Shoe Repair Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Had the soles redone and The stitching on my adidas was crazy lol loose and mixed up and crossed over each other all chewed up and uneven! I had to burn several places to keep it from dangling off the side of my shoes. Loops of thread hanging off , it looks like they just left the old stitches in the shoe and just stitched over the old threads with the new ones lol I've never seen anything like it ! The toe box is definitely smaller and tighter basically changing the way my shoes fit now the sides hit my outside toes basically making them too small now, terrible craftsmanship! Can't imagine looking at these and sending them back to a customer, if you cherish your shoes find another place. read more

Amazing experience start to finish. Judy did an excellent job stretching the calves of my knee high leather boots. I couldn't zip them up past the beginning of my calf when I brought them in but she did the impossible and made them fit perfectly - in a timely manner too. Can't recommend these folks enough! Thank you guys!!! read more

Model Shoe Renew - Shoe Repair Near Me - Berkeley, California

I have been coming here for over a decade, and the Model Shoe Renew team have always taken great care of me. I've brought them shoes and boots in all states, leather jackets, purses and luggage, and everything always looks beautiful when I get it back. I was particularly impressed recently with how they resoled some Louboutins I bought secondhand. Apparently they order the red rubber from Germany, and wow, I'm not sure why Louboutin doesn't sell them this way in the first place. read more

Model Shoe Renew - Resoled Louboutins - Shoe Repair Near Me - Berkeley, California

Excellent staff, top-notch customer service, and high-quality craftsmanship. If it's leather, they can repair it. I've brought in boots, jackets, and leather bags, and every piece came back flawless. Consistently great work from Model Shoe Renew. read more

This is the best shoe repair shop / cobbler service I've experienced in the Bay Area. I came here to adjust some weightlifting shoes. It was a specialized request but they listened, understood, discussed ideas with me--and ultimately made solid recommendations. I was helped by the woman at the counter as well as a mustachioed gentleman. I really enjoyed my interactions with them. Not only were they knowledgeable, experienced, and trustworthy, but they were also fun to talk to. Came back a week later to pick up my shoes--and I couldn't have been happier. They did an amazing job putting it together. Sturdy, strong, and great construction. My shoes look as if they were originally made that way. Only downside is it's downtown Berkeley so parking can be a bit annoying. But nothing can be done about that. Overall very happy and can't recommend this place enough for shoe repair and cobbler needs. Will definite use their business again and hope to see the same folks! read more

Model Shoe Renew - Shoe Repair Near Me - Berkeley, California

I unfortunately don't have a picture of my shoe, but I appreciate how quickly they were able to fix the zipper on my snow boots two days before I was on my way to Tahoe. The customer service was excellent. The repair was a bit pricey but fair especially because I was in a bit of a rush to get it repaired so I definitely can say I appreciate their promptness. I will definitely be returning if I have future needs for shoe repairs. read more

did a great job on my vintage shoes for graduation! super happy. quick turn around too

Vintage lovers rejoice! I brought Model Shoe Renew a 1950's era schotts leather jacket that was beautiful . . . except for a little dry rot a bunch of holes and, well you get the picture. Does it look brand new? Nope, it looks better than that: it looks like a 75 year old vintage jacket that i can wear every day and keeps me warm, dry, and looking cool as hell. Panel replacement, elbow patches, deep conditioning, recoloring: they did such an unbelievably great job. read more

All of the guys were so nice and helpful. Did my belt hole punching quickly and on the spot for free. Highly recommend!

I bought a second hand designer bag that needed a little love and i was nervous to trust any shop but this one had lots of great reviews so i gave it a go. 10/10 experience! My first time getting a service like this done and they were super helpful and transparent about the outcome! The bag looks brand new and exceeded my expectations- thank you so much !! read more

Model Shoe Renew - Before and after - Shoe Repair Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Fixed my leather purse handles so quickly and wonderfully!!! Everyone who works here was incredibly kind as well and the whole experience was great. read more

It's hard to fully express how impressed and grateful I am for the work that Model Shoe renew did on my shoes. I brought in a pair of suede sneakers I've had for eight years now. They've walked countless miles, the soles were worn through and detached on one pair (I had an identical set I loved these so much), and they'd even been soaked in ocean water a few times as I chased my kids before they got to far out in surf. What I got back from them is nothing short of miraculous. All of the suede looks new, the details have been refreshed, interior is clean and odorless, and the soles have been cleanly replaced. Thank you again. Your work is incredible. read more

Awesome service I am very happy with my boots. Quick turnaround and very friendly staff.

Been there for decades. Mr. Goto has repaired many shoes, purses, anything leather. Also a wide range of shoe polishes, laces, and other accessories. read more

When my close friend Eli F. told me his whole family brings *all* their shoe repairs to Model Shoe Renew on Shattuck, I took note. Less than a year later, I had not one but two complex shoe repairs needing attention and knew exactly where to bring them. I called before I came in, to confirm I could come by and drop them off any time, and the welcoming and friendly voice on the phone confirmed they're available for drop offs and open every day until 7 (6 on Sunday). The first thing I brought in was a pair of snow boots where the rubber outer layer had gotten brittle and flaked off - after I explained what I was hoping to achieve: making the boots useable and waterproof again, they declined taking on the project, but told me in detail how I could repair it at home with a layer of Shoe Goo, being careful to stiffly pack the toes with newspaper. That matches what I'd initially researched online, and I understand their hesitation to take on the task and appreciated their detailed DIY instructions. My second repair was my favorite Italian made Gaerne mountain biking shoes from the 90s -- the plastic ski-buckle style clasp had become brittle and broken. Their initial recommendation was to check Missing Link (formerly my favorite employee-owned Berkeley bike-shop Co-op, R.I.P. Missing Link 1973-2023) to see if they could get me a replacement buckle. I explained to the kind woman behind the counter that these particular cycling shoes are 30 years old imports and replacement parts aren't likely findable, but I was hoping to simply remove and replace the clasp with a velcro closure, and possibly reinforce the exposed material on the side where the plastic had previously been. At one point I realized I was talking over her and I caught myself and apologized for my bad habit and without even thinking about it she offered me a big hug. That's the kind of family-owned Berkeley business I love to support on Yelp. The price quoted seemed fair for a custom repair, and I'm thrilled with the results. The velcro is solid and sturdy and the shoes feel just as secure and snug as always. Thank you so much Model Shoe Renew, my family will be bringing all our shoe repairs here. (Even if the parking situation is tricky. There are only a handful of metered spots out front. I got lucky once and caught somebody pulling out, but pickup a week later was tricky. I was able to find available 2h parking on Delaware St between Shattuck and MLK, but it meant walking 3 or 4 blocks to the shop.) read more

Model Shoe Renew - Custom reinforcement and repair for my Italian bike shoes. - Shoe Repair Near Me - Berkeley, California

Amazing!! This is a Berkeley hippie's dream...or anyone who is environmentally conscious about not contributing to the ever growing landfill. I brought in a pair of Birkenstock miyari's sandals with a broken big toe strap and they were able to repair it and change the soles for less. I feel like I walked out with a new pair of shoes for less than the cost of a new pair. I then brought in a pair of well-loved Blundstone boots with a warped toe bed. Apparently I had left them out in the sun and this warped the leather. Lesson learned. This is a family owned business with tremendous knowledgeable about shoes, not pushy and in tune with what clients need for comfort and sustainability. They saw a very worn down shoe heel from my overpronation and was able to add a heel disk to support from further wear for $10! I was also surprised to find that they sell an incredible collection of well-made and all repairable, high quality shoes! Mary Jane's, Birkenstocks, boots and booties. So you can potentially find your forever shoe! I found a cute pair of Mary Jane's that was a tad too big ( I was in between sizes) and they even had a solution for this!! Super knowledgeable and a gem in Berkeley! read more

The leather soles on my ten-year-old Frye Boots were fried. I ordered five different boots and none were great. I decided to resole them. I got a quote of $150 in Sonoma, CA. Model Shoe Review gave me a quote of only $76--and the boots are like brand new with a new rubber sole. They reconditioned the leather too. Take a look at the pics. They also sell great shoes too. read more

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I have been holding off repairing my Birkenstock clogs for a year now. I've had them for so long and didn't want to buy a new pair since they're so expensive, but I was recommended to get them repaired here. It was such an easy process, going to their website, selecting the Birkenstock Full Sole Repair option, they send you a label, and you ship the shoes to them! Shipped them out on Monday and received them on Thursday- totally didn't expect them to get this repaired so quickly and in such great condition. They cleaned the suede up as well I almost thought I had a new pair Highly recommend restoring and repairing your shoes with this business. I am a big fan after this experience! Thank you! read more

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Martin was incredibly friendly and helpful. The service was top-notch with great shoe shining and a very quick turnaround. Highly recommend this shop for quality and reliability! read more

Unique selection of footwear, accessories and supplies to clean. Personable customer service and associates are ready to help. Had dropped by last minute to repair a suitcase and tried on an Australian brand of trainers. read more

Model Shoe Renew - Business card - Shoe Repair Near Me - Berkeley, California

Super kind staff who did a great job on my Doc Martens! I got them off Ebay and wanted a simple cleaning, they look good as new!