Merchant 1948’s cobbler Steve Monks. Image supplied.
Looking after your shoes means they’ll last many seasons and Merchant 1948 are committed to helping their customers get the most out of their footwear. The beloved brand opens a permanent cobbler workshop dubbed Merchant Workshop at its Newmarket flagship store today. Whether it’s upgrading an outsole, personalising a fit or breathing extra life into your well-loved shoes, the service will be a sole-saver for footwear fans.
Merchant Workshop will have on-site cobbler, Steve Monks, tending to customer’s shoes with Steve having honed his craft working at iconic shoe repair shop Shoe Sheriff for ten years. This also means the new workshop will offer shoe shining, repairs and replacements, and even monogramming in silver or gold foil to selected styles.
This new concept continues the shoe retailer’s commitment to sustainability which it practices with all three of its brands Deuce, Mi Piaci and Merchant 1948. Having set up a sustainability committee, the NZ-owned company has full oversight over much of its China manufacturing and by owning its factory is committed to innovating and improving throughout the full manufacturing process.
“The fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world and we’re committed to doing our piece. The next area we’re tackling is packaging and we are trialling a take-back scheme in our 277 store, where unwanted shoes can be passed forward to those in need,” says owner Shane Anselmi.
Any shoes can be brought to the cobbler, not just those from its own brands. Prices start from $20 for a basic repair through to $55 for a full resole and heel fix. If you’re a recent Mi Piaci, Merchant 1948 or Deuce customer the company is offering a special 15 per cent discount to loyalty members who take up the service, while monogramming for applicable Deuce styles is free for your first three letters ($3 per letter thereafter).
Images supplied.