Veteran Shoemaker Opens Repair Shop on Lankershim

Tucked in the commercial stretch on the corner of Lankershim Boulevard and Hesby that includes a defunct thrift shop, Oriental Fashion nail salon and Josie's Flower Shop, NoHo Shoe Repair Alteration Cleaners faces Lankershim with a strangely light-sodden storefront despite its derelict position. I only stopped in because I happened to be walking by with shoes direly in want of mending and about 10 extra minutes in my pocket. 

The experience reminded me of my six-month stint in St. Petersburg, Russia, where there are at least two shoe repair stores per block. I shouldn't have been surprised that Ruben Badryan, owner and resident cobbler, tailor and leathersmith was from that selfsame country, a native of a small city near the Black Sea.

Badryan is exceedingly soft spoken. He alternately operates behind his antiquated sewing and embroidery machines, and fixed my ailing shoe strap using a table top Singer, circa 1950ish.

I asked Badryan if the old sewing machines were superior to newer models. He answered in Russian, “Konechno – of course.”

The repair was swift. While I waited and watched, Badryan laughed gently at my heavily-worn wooden platforms. After they were repaired – around 10 minutes hence – he asked me how much I thought he should charge me.

“Seven dollars?” I asked. Seven dollars it was.

NoHo Shoe Repair does not seem to have gained much traction in the neighborhood since it opened about a month ago. The storefront, like Badryan, has a soft-spoken air about it, perhaps making it relatively easy to overlook. 

However, if cheap and competent shoe repair is what you seek, NoHo Shoe Repair is not to be passed over. Badryan, who learned the art of shoe repair through an apprenticeship in his native country, has around 40 years of experience in the gentle craft.

While NoHo Shoe Repair is an asset to the NoHo Arts District for its evident functionality, an unadvertised artistic facet of the business fascinated me most.

On a second visit, I perused the store – a funny mishmosh of leather jackets, fur coats and eccentric shoes – while Badryan revived my pair of leather sandals. 

The most interesting shoes, including a pair of green, brown and melon-colored heels, are only half finished. The tops, with their intricate patterns and criss-crossed leather designs, are complete, but the bottoms look like smiling crocodiles – nails sticking out of the heel in a toothy metal smile.

These shoes are all Badryan originals, born from his imagination and crafted by his hands. He told me he will complete the shoes upon a customer's request. Unfortunately, Badryan has not had any custom shoe orders at his current location.

“Since the past month, nobody comes,” Badryan said. “Well, because, the people don't know about this shop. Maybe after two months, three months, they will come and order [my shoes].” 

The dearth of orders may also be a product of a hefty price tag.

As I cast longing looks at the green/melon pumps, Badryan asked me, “How much do you think they cost?” He answered his own question – “Three hundred and fifty dollars. Not cheap.”

I promised him I would come back and purchase them when I catch my big break – or entice a reader to give them a good home.

NoHo Shoe Repair Alteration Cleaners is located on 5045 Lankershim Blvd.

The hours of operation are M-F 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sun - closed.