S7 Ep39 COBLRSHOP: a mail-in leather and shoe repair service - how they're reviving and modernizing the shoe repair industry to bring shoe repair back into the mainstream.

S7 Ep39 COBLRSHOP: a mail-in leather and shoe repair service - how they're reviving and modernizing the shoe repair industry to bring shoe repair back into the mainstream.

Author: Emily Stochl December 4, 2023 Duration: 53:49

Pre-Loved Podcast is a weekly vintage fashion interview show, with guests you'll want to go thrifting with! For more Pre-Loved Podcast, subscribe to our Patreon!

On today's show, we're talking with the co-founders of Coblrshop, an online and on-demand, mail-in leather and shoe repair service. Co-founders Emily and Leslie have always loved vintage and secondhand, and believed in taking care of your clothes to make them last as long as they possibly can. 

That said, they felt like the market for repairing an caring for shoes could be modernized to make it a friendlier and more common practice for the average shopper. So they founded Coblrshop, and you'll get to hear the whole story on today's show, plus their expert advice on all things shoe and leather care!

DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE:

  • [6:52] The entrepreneurial journey that led Leslie and Emily to found Coblrshop.
  • [8:15] The importance of having a cobbler to repair your shoes and handbags.
  • [12:25] In 1930, there were 100,000+ cobblers in the US, and now there are fewer than 4,000 of these businesses.
  • [16:39] 40% of pre-loved items that are resold need some element of care or repair. 
  • [20:19] The trouble with fast fashion shoes, and why they don't last. 
  • [24:09] Why the cobbler industry needs modernizing.
  • [32:13] How to determine if a leather shoe is high-quality. 

EPISODE MENTIONS: 

LET'S CONNECT: 

SPECIAL THANKS: 

A special thanks goes out to my Patron Insiders – your support makes Pre-Loved Podcast possible!

  • Patty Weber
  • Beverley Docherty of Wolfe Pack Vintage
  • Danny of Galaxy Live
  • Kathy Brand
  • Lucero Buendia
  • Tricia Zelazny
  • Leslie V.
  • Lisa of Queenie & Pearl
  • Lucille of Galipette Vintage
  • KT 
  • Lydia Welp
  • Anastacia Banicke of Goods & Provisions

Every week, Emily Stochl invites you into a conversation that goes far beyond the clothing rack. Pre-Loved Podcast with Emily Stochl is built on the idea that every second-hand garment has a past, and that exploring those histories makes our present style more meaningful. Rather than just offering shopping tips, each episode feels like sitting down with a fascinating friend who shares your passion for vintage, digging into the many layers of what it means to wear pre-owned fashion. You’ll hear from a diverse range of guests-from collectors and stylists to entrepreneurs and historians-as they explore not only personal style but also the practicalities of running a resale business, the complexities of the global second-hand market, and the environmental ethos behind choosing used over new. The heart of this podcast lives in those incredible stories: the serendipitous flea market find, the garment that carries a decade of memories, or the simple, powerful act of giving a piece a new life. Emily guides these discussions with genuine curiosity, making each topic accessible whether you're a seasoned thrifter or just curious about sustainable fashion. It’s a thoughtful, engaging look at how what we wear connects to culture, art, beauty, and the kind of mindful consumption that can reshape an industry. Tune in for a fresh perspective that celebrates the character, sustainability, and deep personal connection found in pre-loved fashion.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

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