He said to pick up in 2 days. I went in day 3 for pickup. He still did not look after my shoes as he should/could have. A simple heel resole job left my shoes full of scuff marks and abrasions to the leather. looked worse after repair job than they did when they were brought in. Poor workmanship. He does not even care to return shoes in the bag they are brought in. He has bad behavior often enough. I dont feel bad leaving a bad review if the work warrants it. read more

I was here twice to fix snaps that break. The ones installed here never broke. My man is also quick, inexpensive and competent. I mean, what else do you really need? There is a slight language barrier buy nothing that you can't work around. It seems like this business has been here a looong time. Which is another good sign. read more

Hooray for the neighborhood shoe repair shop! I took my rain boots that were ripping at the seams and a pair of dress shoes that I couldn't get it perfectly polished by myself to the shop. They both costed around $8 and $10 (from my memory) and I was able to pick up my shoes in a few days. I'm very satisfied with the repairs and they were such a life saver! I'm definitely returning here if I need another repair. read more

This guy is GENIUS. I checked yelp before I went to his store on a chilly Saturday afternoon. Brought 6 pairs of shoes: 1 flat that I wore last summer and got soaked in the pouring rain, 2 heels with bruised heels, and 3 boots: 1 with almost worn-out heels and 2 severely damaged by salt stain in the recent blizzard. I initially wanted to throw the flat and one heel-damaged boots away because they look really distorted and ugly on the sole part. However, I decided to give a try in this high-rating hided gem in Astoria. So I dragged a giant nylon bag of shoes, entered his store, hoping Mr.Z to save them. He was really nice, as described in the previous reviews, waited for me to display all my poor shoes, and listened to my request. He was also quite surprised that I can wore a 1 1/4 inch square heel boots to 1/4 inch (wooden heels are easy to worn out). "You must walk a lot!" He said. I told him I did not live in this neighborhood and came all the way just because his shop had amazing feedback. He was happy. Anyway, he accepted all my shoes and promised to try his best. The cost would be $80 in total (like $13.3/each), paying upon pick-up. He said he already gave me a discount. So four days later I came back to pick up my shoes. I was more than satisfied. The flat - he fixed the bruised sole and added a little 1/4 inch square heel so that it won't rub easily. The two heels: he fixed the top and the heels, and even painted the bruised heel stern to brown so that the original white plastic won't show up. Awesome! Snow damaged boots: one is burgundy (2 yr old) and the other brown (2 weeks old), he fixed the heels of the burgundy one, got rid of all the salt stain on both pairs and polished them like-new. He even applied water-proof spray. yay Cowboy boots with worn-out heels: this is the most amazing work. HANDS DOWN! He fixed the heels and now my boots look chic again. I can't stop paying him compliment. I also left him tip. Such a WOW. read more

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I can't tell you how EXCITED I am that an old pair of shoes has been given a new life thanks to Gonzalo. The heel popped off one morning after a stressful commute to work and I went back and fourth for quite some time as to what I should do with them. As someone who has never brought their shoes to a cobbler before, I wasn't sure what to expect in terms of pricing, speed or quality. However, I can vouch that Gonzalo repaired my shoes quickly (by noon the next day), affordably ($12 for a pair of new heels) and superbly (just check the photos)! Highly recommend him to anyone in Astoria, or even Queens, who is looking to restore some old footwear. read more

Zhicay Shoe Repair - Before - Shoe Repair Near Me - Astoria, New York

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I had a pile of shoes all worn out, in other words comfortable. I couldn't trash these faithful servants, they have been though so much. Simple facts, went in job done, fair price bingo bamo... 4* because my daughters favorite shoes lasted all of a day before they fell apart, but to be fair it was a MASSIVE ask from me. They did a solid job with my shoes and retipped the Mrs's Heels and she was over the moon, just like my bank manager. I would be happy to use them again. read more

Affordable and does a great job. Especially resoleing my husbands boots and throws in a shine for free. Convenient, efficient and a job well done for a great price. It's like picking up new shoes almost read more

Gonzalo Zhicay has been serving the neighborhood so long that he learnt some Greek and holds his ground in basic conversations with all the Greek grandmas who brings their shoes for repair. Originally from Ecuador, Gonzalo is a very pleasant and honest cobbler who has fixed and patched all the soles of my boots ever since I moved to Astoria some years ago. He'll tell me if something doesn't need a complete replacement, his prices so far are quite fair and the turnarounds are relatively quick. read more

I found this place on yelp. I decided to check it out because it's so close to my apartment and he had great reviews, even if they were only a few. Before coming here, I called on the phone and I asked him a gazillion questions. All from what time he closes, how soon can he fix it, does he fix designer shoes etc. This poor man definitely has patience and was really friendly. As soon as I walked in, the owner welcomed me with a warm a smile on his face. I showed him my Christian Louboutin's that needed the little rubber heel replaced. I told him to replace both of them. Guess how much it cost to replace both little rubber heels on my pumps? Only $5--cheap cheap cheap! Yes!!!!!!!!!! This little place is a gem. I needed my pumps to wear them for that evening, so he had them ready within an hour! We started chatting and he asked me how I heard about his store. I told him that I heard through Yelp. He had no clue what it was and he also didn't speak English perfectly. His son was there and began translating in Spanish! Even better, I speak Spanish!! So I of course started rambling away about Yelp. He was very friendly and nice and very flattered. He even gave me a lesson on cleaning leather and advice and even explained what might be wrong with some other shoes I have. You can tell he is passionate about shoes. From taking a look around the store, I could see that people bring in their good shoes and purses to be repaired. I saw a Fendi purse and some nice leather boots. He was also telling me about another customer of his who brings her Christian Louboutins to him as well. He even cleans and conditions leather purses. I've gone to other cobblers in Manhattan and they're not as friendly and engaging and it's super expensive. If you live in Astoria, please bring your things here! By the way, his name is not Arnold, it's Zhicay. I might have the spelling wrong. I guess he needs to come and do the name change on Yelp. Arnold was the prior owner. However, most of the recent reviews seem to refer to Z! Friendly, affordable and quick service? This is my kind of place!! read more

This place was great, I got my crepe sole Clark Desert boots here resoled with vibram soles as he had no crepe. It took him about 3 days to finish the job and as I was busy he held onto the shoes for over another week. Even after such a long period he was able to find they as if he had placed them in the spot they were earlier that day. The look great and the cobbler was a really nice guy, I fully intend to revisit this shop again once I need new soles for another shoe. read more

I agree with Tiff...as I am the" friend who will bring my shoes cross country to have this place fix them for me." Anyway, this place is amazing, for a whopping $8 they fixed my extremely snow-damaged leather boots, replaced the heal and cleaned them up to be as good as new! So I had new boots again without having to break in a new pair. They also fixed my kitten heels which I thought were irreparable since the whole heal was gone and the nail was sticking out. I haven't tried this service myself but they also repair purses here too. This place has one awesome shoe smith. So if you have a hard time finding shoes you love and cry when you have ruined your favorite shoes, remember to give this place a shot before you throw those babies away. read more

i've brought 2 pairs of boots, 1 pair of heels (8 years old and yet i couldn't bear to part with them), and 1 pair of flats here for "Z" to repair. freaking GENIUS. for $8 you come out with shoes that look practically brand new. (new heel, cleaned and shined, etc) i don't know how he does it... it really has been a small miracle every time i've picked up a pair of shoes from him. my friend who moved back to cali visited and she brought 2 pairs of boots with her cross country just so "Z" could fix 'em up while she was here. :) read more

If I could give 0 stars, I would. I am in tears after dropping my $1,000 never worn, brand new Christian Louboutins off to have them vibram sealed ONLY at the bottom. I was clear, do NOT touch the back of these shoes, only add the seal on the sole. I was promised these would be handled with care. My shoes are butchered! One shoe is two different colors now and the logo is melted. There is red melted sealant on the shoe. The other shoe has black melted sealant on it. Destroyed my shoes. Do not accept luxury items if you cannot handle them. read more

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This place is great. I dropped off an old and battered pair of boots in hopes of some revival. They were ready a few days later, the worn out heel completely redone and the boots looking shiny and new. Prices are very reasonable, the craftsmanship is unparalleled, and you couldn't ask for more in terms of service. This man can fix anything. One more business that adds true value to Astoria. read more

I have a knock off Goyard tote that I adore but one of the straps split a few months after using it (shocker). My husband found this place in the neighborhood and he did an amazing job. He couldn't replace the whole strap so he cut out the broken piece and sewed it all back together. Thankfully the repair is on the inside of the back, but it's a good job and not messy. The color doesn't math perfectly but that was expected. Very happy to have my bag back in working order! read more

I just moved to the neighbourhood about a month ago and as I was unpacking, I discovered that a lot of my shoes had been ruined by mildew! I was so upset and, not wanting to throw anything away, searched for nearby places that could help me out and this place was the first on the list. Upon reading all the wonderful reviews, I decided to give it a shot and hauled over six pairs of shoes and some high hopes. I was not disappointed in the slightest. Not only was he incredibly sweet, but his work is amazing. Among the shoes I brought over were two pairs of one-of-a-kind handmade heels and some ancient suede boots that had seen better days and too much rough weather. They were all cleaned and, in the case of one pair of boots, resoled within a week (he had asked if I needed them quickly and I said no rush!). With the mild repair and cleaning, it cost $95 altogether, and my shoes look brand new! It's also worth noting that he clearly cares about the shoes themselves, not just business. I was wary about handing over my shoes (particularly those heels) and was immediately reassured by his clear respect and understanding of what I wanted and the craftsmanship of the shoes. I was so pleased with the quality of work that I did not hesitate to bring in my leather character shoes for dance, also seemingly ruined by mildew and humidity. I haven't gone back to pick them up yet but I'm confident that they will look exactly as they did when I first bought them (for the curious, cleaning them cost $10). If you've got some shoes that need saving or just a quick clean up, go here! read more

So Zhicay Shoe Repair doesn't have the 5 stars it used to because it used to be called Arnold's Shoe Repair. Look that up for all the reviews that you'll need to convince you to come here. Here's mine: Mr. Zhicay's (formerly known as Arnold's shoe shop) is a hidden gem in a tiny old school cobbler shop in Astoria. I've brought multiple pairs of shoes to Mr. Zhicay including a pair of expensive leather boots I thought were dead and gone - he revived that pair to one that's as good as new. Another pair of flats were resoled and returned better than ever. A pair of boots that seemed doomed, he stretched and now they're comfy and worn daily. Fair prices, phenomenal service and the friendliest man in Astoria. Definitely recommended. read more

I have nothing but positive things to say about Gonzalo and his shop. He fixed the shoulder strap of my Gucci bag. At first I was skeptical the end results were beautiful. Gonzalo is such a professional and a very pleasant person to work with. I highly recommned this place and his services. read more

Great service! He was fast, honest, and very fairly priced. I came in to get a stretch panel inserted for my boots. I'll definitely come back again! read more

What can I say? This place is awesome. The owner is the nicest guy I have met and he has always fixed my shoes and belt the way I wanted it done. He is super skilled at what he does and the price is also affordable ! read more

Great place. Fixed three pairs of heels in just a few hours for me. Wonderful and fast. Only wish they had parking...

The best shoe repair man I've used...and super reasonable. From minor reconditioning to major heel replacement this guy does it awesomely and charge so minimal. And he's really nice guy. True local hero for working class. read more

Well after 2 years of beating up an old pair of boots from harsh weather to everyday wear I finally thought I would stop in here. I had a light tan boot which I asked could be made black. A few day wait and I walked out of there with a pair of brand new looking black boots. He even recolored the eyelets. For less than $20 I have a new pair of all weather boots. Will be going back for sure. read more

Dropped my shoes Friday at 12pm, on Monday 11am no repair has been made. The store is open until 6.30pm so I told the guy I'll drop by at 1pm and he says he won't be around. What a waste of time ! The guy is a not professional, when I called him he said he was waiting to talk to me to see what he could do. What was my phone number on the ticket for then ? read more

Good work & service! Although this shop is outside of my neighbor, I haven't found a nearby shoe repair shop that offers similar quality or friendly service. It's worth the trip:) Arnold doesn't use plastic materials like most shoe repair shops and the prices are quite reasonable. I've had Arnold repair over 20 pairs (don't judge the number...NYC streets/sidewalks are unkind;)) of shoes in the past 2 years. He's done a good job on repairing boots, changing zippers, shortening heels, **adding rubber soles, etc. read more

Wasn't super impressed with the quality of the work. I had to bring 2/3 pairs to another place to get them right.

Gonzalo is truly a master craftsman. I've brought several pairs of shoes and boots here from a range of designers, and they always come back looking brand new. When I brought in a pair of Frye boots, the heel on which had worn away unevenly, I was concerned they couldn't be saved. Gonzalo made them beautiful and structurally sound again. He also recently added a hard rubber sole to a pair of Cole Haan Oxfords, which originally had a leather sole, and it has completely changed the wearing experience for me. To echo another reviewer, even if I moved away from this neighborhood, I'd still come back here to get my shoes repaired. read more

This place is wonderful. I get all my shoes reheeled here. He is fast, reasonably priced, and super nice to boot(s)! He's saved a bunch of my shoes from the dumpster - and also told me when it's time to give it up (sometimes Forever 21 shoes just aren't worth saving). A+++ read more

This man is a genius. I brought in four pairs of shoes - a pair of sandals with a too-long strap, a nice pair of suede shoes with a worn out heel, a pair of rubber marni shoes that i bought on sale but were a half a size too small, and a pair of very very old worn out frye boots. He did an absolutely fabulous job on every single pair, and i'm especially thrilled about the latter two. The shoes fit perfectly now and my boots - which have not been black in a long, long, long time, are completely re-dyed with a completely new heel. They look like new boots. Plus, he was incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. A great experience at a really, really, really great place. read more

Gonzalo is the best cobbler and leather repair craftsman I have encountered. He has fixed and resoled my dress shoes and sneakers and has fixed a couple of pairs of my boots. He has also fixed my bags as well as small leather things such as a watch band, a belt and a wallet. He has done everything from resoling a pair of sneakers for me to fixing minor defects. Attention to detail and care for the quality are unmistakably evident in his work. He resoled my father's loafers and my father said it was incomparably better to the work that was for him previously in the Washington, DC area. It's rare to find a professional like that and it's always a pleasure to use his services. read more

He did a great job stretching out my wedding shoes! He also fixed the heels to my kitten heels and knee high boots. He's such a sweet man as well! read more

**This review is for his bag repair.** I read all the great reviews for shoes and thought, why not bring my favorite purse here before it goes the same route as most my other purses. I walked in with my Olivia + Joy black satchel. Large enough to fit my ipad, sturdy enough to carry my usual barrage of necessities. The problem, as is usually the case with my bags, is the handles cannot handle (ha) the weight I carry. Zhicay was friendly, i explained to him (in spanish) that i wanted the handles' stitching reinforced as well as the inner lining restitched. He explained he would reglue the edges of the handles and stitch over it to make sure they dont fall apart. Great. No rush. I will pick up in a week.on Tuesday One week later, Tuesday, I show up at around 3pm. He said I was early, i was confused. He said we agreed on Wed. Nope, Tuesday I say, and show him my little ticket stub. Oh! Apparently he had finished the lining and only glued the handles, so he asked if I could come back in an hour. No problem, I went down the block to a sushi place early dinner/late lunch. Came back about 90 minutes later and he was done. Stitching was crooked, very noticeably so, the glue was uneven in many places. The only thing as happy with was the lining reinforcement. $30. What a disappointment. I havent returned since, because of the disappointment of the mediocrity of the quality. Shame too, since I was looking forward to take pair of smoking loafers that need to be resoled. The other more current reviews have inspired me to go back. For my shoes. **do not take your bags here. Look elsewhere for bag/purse repair** read more

I went in to have my Italian leather jacket fixed along with the zipper. It was sewn in a way that the fabric inside the pocket was less space than when I had brought it in. It's so small I can no longer place my hands in the pocket. $25 and clearly functionality was an after thought. Very disappointed. read more

They do such great work! I have had my Gucci bag straps fixed and my Chanel boots re soled. Very trustworthy and at a good price point! Also they guy is so sweet and nice. read more

Great place, fast service, excellent job done and cost is very affordable. My fiancé had her shoes repaired in an hour. Definitely going back to get my shoes repaired. read more

Hi my name is michelle , i wanna know if these store will fix my ripped rain boots , i dont wanna throw it out cus they expensive ,,,, so i really wanna fix my black boots they r ripped on both sides but its a thiny bit so i really would like to know if they will repair it ??? thank you read more

There are no words to explain how satisfied I am with this service. I have used many shoe repair services and I have never been fully satisfied. I am very picky when it comes to my shoes. Usually good service is very expensive. However, at Zhicay, I received excellent service for affordable price. Not only they are specialized in shoe repair but they can fix your zipper, leader jacket, purse. In addition to fantastic service, Gonzalez is very pleasant person who would give his best to keep customer satisfied. I am so happy that I finally found my shoe repair store after 12 years of research! Thank you Gonzalez! read more

All the reviews here were true. But the store has different name - Zhicay Shoe Repair. The Shoe Doctor is extremely skillful and friendly. He said he started repairing shoes and leather items when he was 11. I picked up 1 pair of boots and 2 pairs of shoes (I was thinking about throwing those away because of the condition). He did a beautiful job - really all looks so clean, nice, etc. He is the best shoe repair person I have met... I highly recommend this store. read more

He saved my go-to black boots (in two days) for $10 after Jim's in the city failed at doing so for $19 (and they had them for over a week).

i took 2 pairs of shoes here to shorten the heels, they couldnt be taken down by much, but he did a good clean job. my boyfriend also had extra holes put into his belt, however, they were slightly uneven. the items were ready the following day. i only paid $6 for each pair of shoes and $2 for the belt. the guy, i assume is arnold was friendly, i would go back!!!! read more