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History Of Hartland Shoe Repair
Gene's Story
When I was working as an apprentice in the shoe shop in Iowa City,
Iowa, the customers who were always friendly, would ask me, what's
your name son? Then they asked me if I was Ernie's son (no)...My
grandpa was a mule trainer, and was known for miles around...He
especially was known among the Amish, and Mennonites south of
Iowa City, Iowa...They said he was the last of his breed. Some
people say that shoe makers are a dying breed, but I am still
here 35 years later...
I began in Iowa City Iowa, first at Roger's Shoe's Service, then
at Smitty's(1969-1973) while I was in High School, at West High
School.
In 1973 I moved to Minneapolis Minnesota and worked first at Dayton's
(now Marshall Fields). I Worked there for 4 years...At Dayton's,
back in the middle 70's, that was a bustling shop...many times
we had 15 people sitting there waiting for heels, rips, soling,
polishing, etc...But they didn't mind waiting while they polished
their taste buds with a yogurt cone, just as long as their feet
didn't get too cold!
I got married to my wife Anne, I went to work at Gokey's in St.
Paul, Minnesota.(in 1977) Gokeys is a boot company who made moccasin
style boots and shoes, along with leather and canvas bags. I also
was a repair man for the boots that people sent in from all over
the US...
After 4 years at Gokeys, (in 1981) I became the manager for a
shoe shop in Schuler Shoes in Golden Valley, Minnesota, a suburb
of Minneapolis. They are a family shoe store, and are still the
best chain of shoe stores in the Metro area. We were always busy,
and the business was a growing one...I eventually hired 3 people
to help. (two of them are still in the orthopedic business.
After Schuler shoes, I managed shoe shops at Apache Plaza, Station
Shoes, and Nickoloff Shoe Repair, all in Minneapolis.
In St. Paul, on Rice Street near St Bernard's Catholic Church,
I bought my first shop (Nov of 1988 ). I bought this shop when
it was on Minnehaha at Hamline in Jan of '89 (formerly Dom's shoe
shop). I worked at both of them with my wife, but in June 1990,
I combined my efforts at the Midway location. January of 1992,
I moved to the present location, 4 blocks away.
15 years and counting as Hartland Shoe Repair.
Hartlandshoes is conveniently located almost halfway between St
Paul, and Minneapolis. and also halfway north and south parts
of St Paul. I have a diverse customer base. I have a strong clientele
of both blue collar, and many professional people.
I have been fortunate enough to have the privilege of doing shoe
work for both of the Grumpy Old Men movies...They didn't want
their stars to have slippery shoes in the snow, so I installed
Vibram soles guards on all their shoes, both stars, and stunt
doubles....I also made lifts for one of the men so he could be
taller to be with Sophia!!! Also for Jingle all the Way, (with
Arnold ),I also was called upon to alter a pair of motorcycle
boots for Robert Conrad.
But my best memories are the customers who have been faithful
to me, even though I have had many physical set backs due to a
kidney transplant, and other side effects due to the after effects
anti-rejection drugs from the transplant.
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