They are excellent. At first I tried another place in Kalamazoo since it was closer to my house. They promised my boots in 3-4 weeks. After 4 weeks I called and they said they weren't done. After 8 weeks they still weren't done. I finally got them back and they returned my money. Took the boots to Shoe Smith and got them done in less than 2 weeks and at a MUCH better price. I've taken boots in there twice now and have 2 more pair in now. They do a FANTASTIC job and finish the job when they promise. read more

Paid too much and waited much to long to get my boots back. Understandable, since it seems like there's only two members of staff. The work was solid, but for my future needs, I'll be trying somewhere else. read more

Over priced and the counter lady gives the impression you're a burden. If I could give 0 stars I would. Give Corey's Bootery a try......

Purchased shoes and fixed shoes very good service and quality!!! Very sweet couple we love them !!! read more

The Shoe Smith - Shoes - Shoe Repair Near Me - Portage, Michigan

Steve is very customer oriented. Willing to share his vast amount of knowledge. Helped me learn my true shoe size now that I'm older. Repairing some of my favorite boots which I'll pick up in a couple of weeks read more

Thank You! I love my boots! Mr. & Mrs. Smith are very kind, professional, knowledgeable & care! I will only buy my footwear from them! read more

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It would've been 5 stars, but .. They do great work, very impressed with the work done on 2 pair of shoes. However, yesterday I took a pair of boots in for what seemed a simple request and was flat out refused by the "rude" lady at the counter. No explanation, just "no, won't do it" .. I even said I wouldn't feel bad if it didn't work, it was still NO .. I was in total shock and disappointment! read more

The sole on the heel of one of my favorite boots feel off recently. I tried gluing it back on, but it only lasted a few weeks. I dropped off my boot at the Shoe Smith. First time I've ever been in the store. The cobbler was very nice and gave me what I consider to be a fair price to fix the sole. He said it would be ready in a day. I told him no rush as I wasn't coming back to Portage for another week. I stopped back this week to pick up my boot and it is perfect. I was also intrigued by the store. They carry hard to find shoes for people with problem feet, some cute purses & wallets, and all sorts of accessories for shoes. If you need work done on shoes or even handbags, be sure to take your item to the Shoe Smith in Portage. read more

I need to get my zipper repaired on my boots as well as the zipper on my wife's purse. They did great work and it took roughly a week to complete the job. I do appreciate the attention to detail on the purse that they used a Michal Kors zipper so that it matched the purse. Would recommend if you need any zippers repaired. ALSO this place is located between Kohl's and TJ Max and NOT by Chili's...GPS took me the wrong way. read more

I wish I had read these reviews prior to going here. I haven't picked up my shoes yet so I can not comment on the workmanship but the lady at the counter.. OMG !! This is a family run business and I don't think they will last very long in that location with the way she talks to people. No matter how good of a job they do, I will NEVER give them my business again. read more

Wearing an 11.5 A width men shoe is very challenging as they are nearly impossible to find for less than $200 - $300 per pair. When it's time for soles & heels the ONLY PLACE I HAVE TRUSTED FOR OVER 20 YEARS is "The Shoe Smith". My like-new shoes LOOK new when Steve is done working his magic on them. And since I have shopped around for price, Steve consistently gets them back to me sooner and for less than any of the other places around Kalamazoo/Portage. Whether it's repairs for shoes or my Hartmann ($$$$) luggage, Steve is the ONLY place I entrust my goods to. Plus, he's a great guy who loves what he does and always takes time to visit and chat. I find the less than FIVE STAR reviews to be totally incredible. Trust MY excellent experiences for over 20 years... you'll be delighted. While I now live in FL, I save my repairs til I visit Kalamazoo twice annually. Steve's EXPERTISE is worth the trip!! "Mac" read more

The customer service here is horrible. I went there today to get a bag clasp fixed and the lady at the counter was so rude. She said it would take a week to do and then when I asked her if it's possible to do earlier since I'm moving and won't be back, she said 'no, it's not possible' and rudely threw the bag over the counter for me to take. She kept shaking her head as if I had personally offended her or something. I went on Milhalm to a place called the "Shoe Repair" (I think that's what it's called -- it's on the corner of Milhalm and Westnedge) and not only paid HALF of what this place charged ($5 vs. $10) but the guy fixed the clasp IN FRONT ME OF while I waited. Total time: 3 minutes. Go to the "Shoe Repair!" They're VERY friendly, QUICK, and it'll cost you much less. Note: A friend of mine had the same experience. They wanted to fix a suitcase handle and The Shoe Smith wanted to charge $40 (and were rude) while The Shoe Repair on Milhalm only charged $25. read more

The cobbler does decent work but the woman at the front counter is unfriendly and sets prices depending on her mood. The prices are very high if she is cranky. $35 to fix (not replace) a zipper and it took two weeks. I wish we had more choices. read more

LOUSY customer service, rude, misquote on the price of repairing a heel, did not repair what I wanted. The lady handling customers should be fired. Asked for money up front instead of after work was done... They must not trust their own work... charged $50 for gluing on only heel.plastic and a quick glue of toes.. absolutely terrible attitude, argued with me when I said that was not what I wanted, that is not what you do with a paying customer. Also, the place smells like chemical dump and caused my sinuses to burn. please go elsewhere. read more

I give this place four stars. It would have been five but the lady at the counter was pretty darn rude... which is pretty darn sad... Anyway, I brought in a pair of boots about a year and a half ago. The heel/sole had been completely damaged almost beyond repair. Previously to bringing these in, they were covered in duct tape to try to cover up holes worn into the sole, etc. The older gentleman who works there was very nice and kind to me and explained that it would cost $100 to do the job. I did not pay that much for these boots originally but they were a major part of my life, I would have just bought another pair of boots vs going to a shoe repair if I cared about the price for repair. I thanked him for his estimate and headed out, since I didn't have the $100 at the time to throw down on my boots. Forward to about two weeks ago. I had my $100 in cash, eagerly ready to turn in my boots. I plopped 'em up on the table in front of the woman who worked there. The gentleman I spoke to previously was not there. She looked at me kind of disgustedly and told me there was no way for them to be fixed. I told her I had come in about a year ago and it was explained to me it would be $100 to fix. She stated, "Well, it looks like you've worn them out way too much since then. Can't do it." I paused for a second.... I have NOT worn these one time since I had left the store over a year ago. I explained this and told her what the gentleman had told me. The woman then scoffed and grabbed my boots and said, 'It's gonna be $100.", quite rudely. Whatever. As long as my boots are getting repaired, that's all that mattered to me. She handed me a receipt and told me my boots would be ready for the following Saturday. I come in on that Saturday and pick up my boots. They weren't exactly the same height in heel as my boots had been but I was still very satisfied with what I had received. They looked beautiful, polished and most of all.. I could wear them again! I would like to give a major thank you to the gentleman that saved my beloved boots. To the lady, cheer up... you're kinda just sitting there and not doing much at all besides making your customers wonder what's up your tooshie. read more

Brought 4 pairs of shoes for repair. Service was efficient and friendly enough. Work was excellent. Would use again.

Very poor service. Dropped my shoes off for repair and was told to come back in a week. When I came to pick them up they could not find them, when they finally did, they were thrown in some bin and not even ready. The rude men working said they would do it now and I would have to come back. When I came back, the man at the counter was even more rude when I asked if there was a guarantee on the work with the other guy smiling and laughing in the back. Beware of using this company. read more

Magically resurrected a wrecked pair of $400 men's shoes. Didn't promise a miracle, but came pretty close to delivering one. Fast and friendly, too. read more