By Gerri Miller
EAN Staff Writer
Things looked rough for JR Benson in December. The current health crisis was keeping people from coming in to get repairs on their boots and shoes and his business, JR Shoe and Boot Repair, was no longer thriving at its South Memorial Drive location.
Benson said his business had been good but earlier this month he was on the verge of closing his doors. That was before one of his customers stepped in with one simple post that went viral.
Becca Petty, a Prattville Realtor posted a shout out to the repair shop that was shared thousands of times. On Tuesday, business was brisk as a steady stream of customers brought items for repair into the shop.
“Grady Lee (her son) got new boots for Christmas and within the first hour the heel fell off the boot! Thank you, JR for this affordable repair! JR explained to me he barely made enough to cover rent this month and then there were tacked-on late fees. He was so sweet, but it was heartbreaking to hear how he said his business was thriving for the first 5 years and this year he is on the verge of closing his doors. Y’all don’t throw your shoes away! Get them fixed! If you can see in the back, he fixes purses too!! Just a quick share would help spread this word and keep one of our small businesses in Prattville open!!” Petty posted.
Petty said Benson told her the past few years have been wonderful for him since he moved to Prattville and how he hated to be in a position to possibly have to close the doors if business didn’t pick up.
“My heart was broken. So being a Realtor my business comes from how much I advertise,” Petty said. “I have several friends and I was like; you know what? I’m going to post about this because I know of so many shoes, I have loved in the past I have thrown away and I could have had them fixed but never thought of it. I posted and immediately the shares and comments started!”
Petty said that even weeks after she made the post, she is still getting notifications of people sharing the post. “I have heard people have even come from Mississippi for him to repair their shoes,” she said. “I heard today from a lady in Texas who said she had never heard of a boot repair so cheap!”
Petty said Benson’s smiling face and humble attitude made it all the better experience as well. “I know I will never go anywhere else,” she said.
Albert Dunn has worked in Benson’s shop since the company opened there six years ago. He said word-of-mouth advertising had been working, but social media has also been a blessing.
Dunn has practiced his craft for more than 40 years. He started training when he was a student at Carver High School. It took him two years to learn the trade. Benson has the only shoe and boot repair in Prattville, and it has become harder to find those who repair shoes and leather nationwide.
The work of a shoe repairman can be grueling. It takes a lot of training and is full of constant activity. Yet, Dunn loves the work.
“It’s always been my calling since I learned how to do shoe repair” Dunn said. “You always try to do your best work. People are particular about their shoes.”
Customer Sam Averett appreciates having this service in Prattville. “It took me forever to find someone to do my boot repair,” Averett said.
The shop provides many services along with shoe and boot repair. Dunn can create orthopedic buildups for shoes. “If one leg is shorter than the other, we can create a buildup for one boot,” he said.
If you buy a pair of boots and find they are a little tight, Dunn can add leather to make them wider. If you buy a pair of high-heeled shoes and find they are a little too high, he can make them shorter.
He can put new zippers in leather jackets or zippers and straps on purses. He can put a sole guard in new shoes to keep them from wearing out so quickly.
Customer Michelle Studdard is another person who appreciates having the business in Prattville. “I’m happy he’s in business here,” she said. “I have been bringing my shoes to him for three years because he does a great job.”
What advice would Dunn give to someone buying a new pair of boots or shoes? “If you are going to buy a pair, go ahead and invest some extra money into a good pair,” he said. “That way they will last you a while and you won’t have to get them repaired so much.”
The shop is located at 992 South Memorial Drive and the phone number is (334) 358-0080 The store is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
