New Shoes Shoe Repair

Photo Credit: Pamplin Media

A downtown Tigard staple, New Shoes Shoe Repair has been operating on Main Street since 1991. With over 40 years of industry experience, owner Donny Myers (pictured) is an expert in shoe/boot/leather goods repair and Pedorthic shoe modifications.

Donny’s experience in the shoe trade could easily fill a book. His journey began with a six-year apprenticeship learning the shoe repair trade from over four generations of old-world Italian and Czechoslovakian master craftsmen, widely regarded as some of the best in the world. Following his training, Donny opened his first shoe repair business in 1979 in Astoria at the age of 24. Moving to Tigard with his family six years later, Donny partnered with 17 local dry cleaners to pioneer a “pickup and repair” system for customers to drop off their shoes and laundry at the same location. Before opening on Main Street, Donny made bi-weekly trips on public transit to shuttle shoe repair orders back and forth from Tigard to his shop in Astoria, where his equipment was still housed. Further innovations in shoe repair include a mail order shoe repair service, that allows New Shoes to attract clients from around the country.

Donny’s shoe repair expertise has earned him 18 awards at the international Shoe Service Institute of America competition, including retailer of the year and recently taking third place in the shoe repair world championships. Ever community-minded, Donny also teaches the restoration trade to local youth and helps spearhead Shoes for the Shoeless, a local program which provides footwear for those in need.

Since the state-mandated shutdown took effect, New Shoes Shoe Repair has greatly reduced hours and Donny has taken steps to enhance sanitization procedures for existing orders. Even with these measures in place, social distancing mandate has greatly reduced business. With severely reduced demand and curtailed cashflow due to the COVID-19 pandemic, New Shoes Shoe Repair was awarded a $1,500 Tigard CARES grant to help cover lease and utility payments and daily operating expenses. “I’m grateful for the City of Tigard’s support during this tough time,” Donny says. To learn more about New Shoes Shoe Repair, visit www.newshoes.com