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Mac the Cobbler , like Rome, wasn't built in a day. It started in 1971. I had just returned from service in Viet Nam as a Seabee and enrolled in college on the G.I. bill. I caught the bus each morning in front of this dingy little shoe repair shop. I watched through the windows for weeks before I figured, "that looks pretty cool" and walked in. The shop smelled of polish, leather, dyes and dust. I liked it. I asked the cobbler if he would teach me the trade. He said "No way, go to school." That's when I discovered John O'Connel Vocational High school and Technical Institute and Sam Piazza.
Sam Piazza had taught at O'Connel for 26 years. Eaach morning after getting us students going on our projects, he'd sit down and make his wife a pair of beautiful high heeled pumps. He was a master shoemaker.
The shoe repair course was two years Being a quick study and aggressive kind of guy, I finished it in 6 months and started looking for a job in a shop. Sam gave me a great compliment when I left. He told me I was the best student he'd ever had. I felt good and ready to work and learn more. The first thing I did was find out the best shop in S.F. Everyone agreed that Vern's Shoecraft on Russian Hill was the best. I went to meet Vern, a tall German fellow with an easy smile and a tough business ethic. I walked into his shop and said flatly. "Hi Vern, I'm Mac. I just finished shoe repair school at O'Connel and people tell me you have the best shop in town. I want to work for you." Vern smiled and said. "Nice to meet you Mac but I just don't have enough business to need help." I told him that was fine but I was determined to work for the best. I asked him to give me one month to build up his business and he'd have to hire me.
"You're pretty sure of yourself, aren't you?' he asked. "Yup", I said then printed up flyers and put them on all the doorways and windshields for five blocks in each direction from his shop. He picked up about 200 new customers and had to hire me.
What Sam taught me about shoe construction and rebuilding fine shoes, Vern taught me about making the work beautiful. I worked for Vern for nine years. He and Sam had created a fine footware craftsman.
Over the next seven years, I bought and built up two great repair shops in S.F. known as the Crazy Cobblers. Our third year in business brought us a great honor when a public poll named our shops the best shoe service in S.F. This was especially sweet as Vern, my mentor, was second. The student had eclipsed the master.
My second shop was located around the corner from KGO TV. I repaired shoes for the TV personalities and in two years found my way onto the "Morning Show" four times a year as "The Crazy Cobbler" where I taught the viewers about shoes and feet, styles, shoe care etc. Also during that period I had a radio show answering phone ins and letters on the air.
Most good things have a way of ending. My business partner married a woman who hated the repair business and told him sell it or I'm gone. We sold. I'd taken shoe repair about as high as I could so I moved on and went to work for Arnie Davis Therapeutics, and learned to make custom orthopedic shoes. Some folks have such misshapen feet that store bought shoes are not an option. Custom shoes can correct some foot problems and add comfort to peoples lives. Work waned at Davis and I decided to move on.
While in Sacramento visiting friends, I met two buffalo skin moccasin makers. The next five years were spent making very groovy hippie moccasin boots out of buffalo, ostrich, and other exotic (not endangered) skin. They had great antler buttons and buffalo head nickel buttons. This was a very creative shoemaking period for me. I started going to Renaissance Faires and made wonderful simple commoner shoes and boots. I had a booth where you could walk in and I'd make the shoes right on your feet in about an hour. Being a Renaissance Faire character, I had to have a proper name. Thus Crispin McCordwainer was born. Crispin is for St. Crispin, the patron saint of shoemakers. The McCordwainer is because my last name is McKeag and a "cordwainer" is a shoemaker. In Europe there are Cordwainer Colleges. and shoemakers are revered and occupy a much higher place in society than in the U.S.
I've been in Sacramento for 12 years now and the valley has been good to me. I like the heat in summer and its in the middle of this beautiful state of California near any type of fishing I could desire. While in the valley I've been lucky enough to make very fancy chaps for the "California Cowgirls" horse drill team who may in the Rose Bowl Parade next year. In Old Sac, the historical area, I repaired "tack" for the wagon masters and stage coach drivers.
The shoe repair industry has dwindled to almost nothing in the last ten years. Many shoes are considered disposable. There are so few shops left that I now work back in S.F. for my dear friend Al Stanley three days a week. Al and I have been friends for 45 years and I taught him the shoe repair business 30 years ago. He's gone beyond the repair business and has become an excellent shoemaker. Together we repair the world's finest footwear and leather accessories. The rest of the week is spent repairing items from all over in the excellent little shop in my garage.
Nowadays, most small and medium sized towns and cities don't even have shoe repair shops. That's why I set up this web site and pass out cards and flyers everywhere I go in rural areas. There are lots of people who spent good money for fine shoes and boots and can't just toss them when the rubber heels run down.
Folks, I'm too young to retire and love to do shoes too much to stop right now so if I can serve you and save you some money, call me, or e-mail me. I repair any accessories and recreate some if necessary.
Well, that's all I wanted you to know about me for now. If I can be of service please call, write or e-mail me.
All the best
Mac
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