Open Since 1933, Andy's Could Close

JOLIET, IL - Andy's Shoe Repair has been part of downtown Joliet since the Great Depression, but its presence on Cass Street may be drawing to a close. A giant Century 21 For Sale sign is now prominently displayed on the exterior of the building at 17 East Cass Street.

There's also a sign in the front window altering people that all retail is now 50 percent off.

Because Andy's is closed on Wednesdays, the business operators could not be reached for comment.

Nearby businesses familiar with Andy's told Joliet Patch that it is their understanding Andy's is trying to sell the property as a business, but if that does not happen, the building will be sold for other uses.

Andy's has been family owned and run since 1933, according to its social media page. Andy's fixes shoes, zippers for shoes and coats. Its workers resole shoes and boots, replace baseball gloves and fix broken purses.

"We also carry work boots in plain and steel toe, leather belts and purses," Andy's Facebook page proclaims.

Andy would not be in business for the past 85 years without quality service and going the extra mile with its customers.

"Andy's is a Joliet staple! I have been using them for years! Competent, fast and reasonably priced service!!!" one customer commented last year on the Facebook page.

"Excellent work at very economical prices. I'll be back!" another customer posted online in 2016.

But now Andy's days may be numbered.

At a time when downtown Joliet continues to undergo a resurgence, seeing the opening of several new restaurants, a new 10-story courthouse currently under construction, a new cookie shop directly across the street from Andy's, the building at 17 East Cass Street may also have a different use at this time a year from now.

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Images via John Ferak/Joliet Patch Editor