Your Custom Cobbler
Mark J. Nelson, B.S., D.P.M.
Custom Medical and Fashion Footwear, Shoe Repair & Modifications
I love the joke about the doctor working his way up to being a shoemaker, because that’s what I did. It took me 4 years
to earn a Podiatry degree. It took 15 more to master the art of Shoemaking. I am a Custom Shoemaker and I’m proud to
be part of a unique tradition that combines craftsmanship, orthopedics, and art. I love what I do, and for 21 years I’ve been
helping people with their footwear needs.
I’ve earned the trust of three generations. The attorney whose dress pumps I resole will ask me to fabricate a shoe lift for her
mother who’s had a hip replacement, and on Saturday I’ll put taps on her daughter’s dance shoes.
I enjoy the pace of my shop, which is the oldest continuous shoe repair in the region. Stop in, and you’ll find
my clients in the gold Queen Anne chairs up in front drinking coffee, and educating me on politics and life as
I work on their shoes.
Forest Gump said it perfectly. "You can tell a lot about people by looking at their shoes". Comfort, confidence, making a statement,
completing a marathon. In shoemaking every detail is noticed, and clients are immediately pleased or unhappy.
A career without spin.
This business rests on the foundation of love, support and encouragement that I’ve received from family and friends. I married my
college sweetheart and 25 years later we’re proud of our 3 children, who helped in the shop after school, and are now exploring
careers of their own.
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