Unless you’ve needed your favorite pair of shoes repaired, chances are slight that you have ever noticed Ardesson’s Shoe Repair & New Shoes on Gravelly Lake Dr. The shoe repair shop, which also features an extensive line of comfort shoes and footwear for people suffering with diabetes, has been open since 1946.
Alex and Karen Bennett have owned and operated the store for the last 20 years. The original owner was Henry Pentimonti. He sold it to Ardesson who
sold it to the Bennetts. “Lots of people thought Ardesson was my dad and that was just fine with us, even though he wasn’t,” Bennett said. He retained the name after buying the place.
About five yeas ago the store was expanded into adjoining spaces and more new shoes were added. Now, business is approximately half new shoe sales and half repairs. The comfort shoes include the Birkenstock, Haflinger and Sonita brands, in addition to a number of others.
Bennett says they can repair almost any shoe and return it to near new condition.
His most unusual repair job was when a fellow came in with a pair of cowboy boots that he wanted converted into golf shoes. “I stripped off the sole and replaced it with a golf spike sole.” Unfortunately, he didn’t get a picture of the finished product.
In addition to repair shoes, they can handle almost anything made of leather, including hand bags, coats, brief cases, golf bags, tack equipment and luggage.
The store is located at 9635 Gravelley Lake Dr SW in Lakewood. It is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 to 5. Saturdays they close at 4 pm. You can check out the shoes on the website www.ardessons.com.
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While I hate to spend the money on Birkenstocks shoes and sandals, I no longer have foot doctor bills. I get two to three years of wear per pair, so initially it is a big investment, but is actually cheaper than buying cheap pairs of shoes and throwing them out cause they hurt my feet. This is the last pair I bought Birkenstock Alabama – Black Leather