For the Love of Mike
If I were older, I’d date Mike.
Mike is the owner of Monte Vista Shoe Repair in Highland Park.
He doesn’t have a website. He doesn’t have employees or a marketing budget or a sign describing the kind of customer he won’t serve. He does, however, have a small, loyal, and loving fan base on Yelp!, which is how I found him.
And I'm so glad I did: when I handed him my dance shoes, he held them as if he were holding a newborn baby or an injured bird. (~sigh~)
He explained how he would not only repair the soles of my shoes, but how he would restore the leather and polish the pretty right back on. He assured me the shoes would be beautiful again. Beautiful … like me. (double ~sigh~)
Mike respected my patronage. He also seemed to understand the role the shoes played in reviving a part of my past not-yet-ready to be long-gone. He treated the pair's significance (unknown to him) and his ability to repair them (unknown to me) as a relationship of privilege. He happily took my business. I happily gave my heart.
In Russia, Mike was called an engineer. He was revered for his work. He was a respected member of the community who brought value to the lives of others, and he felt valuable in return.
When he came to the United States he didn't speak English, had no idea how he was going to make a living, and felt lost.
When he was asked one day at church what he could do and what he liked to do, he said, "Repair shoes." Word got out and soon he was repairing shoes for his fellow church goers. He then found himself repairing shoes for school teachers and their students, local sports teams, and members of civic and community organizations.
Step-by-step, Mike re-engineered his craft to fit the needs of his new neighbors. He built a thriving referral-based business, opened a storefront, and learned some English. After twenty-five years--in 2012--Yelpers decided to give the man some props.
Four positive online reviews later (and my recent loss of faith in duct tape) brought me to his shop, Monte Vista Shoe Repair.
Mike loves his work. However, the arthritis in his hands prevents him from working as long, or as hard, as he use to. So the more demanding jobs and fast turn-arounds are a thing of the past.
But that’s OK. He has more time to write poetry, eat candy, flirt, and engineer one strong cup of coffee. He even has time to fix the loose threading on an over-priced, cheaply-made department-store-bought leather belt (yes, mine).
I Googled my dance shoes: $180.00 new. (Did I really pay that much for them?)
Mike repaired them for $23.00.
Now that’s beautiful (and a little punk rock).
Monte Vista Shoe Repair
5208 Monte Vista St
Los Angeles, CA 90042
Neighborhood: Highland Park
(323) 254-2349