Hugo’s Shoe Repair

Beware! I was looking around for a shoe repair for my knee high boots. They go over the knee with lace up at the top. They were too big so I brought them in to be slimmed down at the calf. I went onto Unilocal and read his reviews (seemed decent and well reviewed). Hugo was nice when I brought them in– he asked how I found his store and I said off the reviews from Unilocal.I pre paid for the shoes — 3 weeks time went by and no phone call to confirm they were done. I called and he told me he thought I didn’t need them right away because of the bad weather and he determined I was not wearing them because it’s cold. He said he will work on them now. (Since when does priority depend on weather). I just picked up my shoes — not only were they poorly sewn (stitching is not tight) but the laces are missing! He had sewn up the top without the laces, so they’re not the original style. When I asked him about that — he shrugged and said I don’t remember — you asked for them that way. I told him to give me the original laces so I can bring them somewhere else and have them probably repaired. No apologies, no questions asked. He threw some laces he had hung up and moved onto talking to some friends who had stopped by. My shoes are the Stewart Weizman lowlands. I should have brought them to the actual store or go find a shoe repair more reputable but I wanted to give the small businesses closer to home a chance. Guess I learned my lesson. To all beware of this business and do not go there !

Stepped into Hugo’s with high-​hopes as the Unilocal reviews are all stellar, and I was not disappointed.
Hugo is an awesome guy, and a very talented leather worker. I went in only to get cleaning product and he proceeded to give me exactly what I was looking for, gave me a quick demo on how to use the product, and even glued the soles of my boots for me without even charging.
The man lives and breathes customer service, and exceptional craftsmanship. There’s nothing quite like finding an authentic Colombian cobbler, and this time around it’s not Bob who’s my uncle, it’s HUGO!

This business deserves WAY more than 5 stars! 100+ stars for Hugo’s Shoe Repair!!!
I rarely write Unilocal reviews — but Hugo’s Shoe Repair went WAY above and beyond my expectations. I’m a critic too, as I’m a garment-​leather worker by trade; so if something was done incorrectly with my leather boots, I’m the first person to nitpick a good job.
For starters, upon entering his business; I was greeted with a massive smile and the friendliest of greetings in his inviting Columbian accent. You could see the passion for his craft sparkle in his eyes from the moment you stepped through the door.
My boots are not easy boots to fix. They’re Leather Tabis, which means they have a split-​toe sole (the big toe is separate from the other 4 toes), and zippers that go up to mid-​calf. Lots of complicated pattern pieces and panels. I previously had 3 different cobblers turn down my boots, saying «It’s not possible». I decided eventually to stop asking to get the soles fixed, and just came in to have the zippers replaced. Hugo took one look at my boots and told me how gorgeous they were, and that they just needed a little love. «They’ll last you 10 more years after I’m done with them!» he exclaimed. To my surprise, (I never mentioned the soles) he turns them over and asks me if I want those fixed too. «You can fix those?!» «No problem!» At this point, I’m practically in shock.
He had them ready exactly on the day that he said they would be, and not only did he fix the soles & zippers, but he strengthened the areas that were sagging, fixed stitching on some of the complicated panels, polished them to the gorgeous shiny black finish they had when I purchased them over 5 years ago, and re-​stabalized where the sole meets the boot as well.
Extra added bonus? This is a multi-​generation business! The old tale of «my father and his father before him owned this shop». Generations of experience can’t lie. Hands down best shoe repair available in the Vancouver area (and probably much further!)
I’ve found my cobbler for life. If ever I move to another province or country… I’m mailing my boots to Hugo to have them fixed!

I love Hugo’s, he did an amazing job on my brown boots and I will be coming back here with another pair of shoes in the coming week. Service was friendly and the workmanship was amazing. I love this place.

This place is awesome! Brought my ice skates here to get fixed (the tendon guard was busted) and the work was exceptional. I asked other skate shops if they could do it and they couldn’t, but Hugo delivered big time. I’m super impressed. The price was reasonable, and the outcome was amazing!

Great service. Went to get my sole fixed for my boots. He placed a new sole on that looks really sturdy and completely different from the original sole in terms of grip. Poloshed my boots after as well. Very reasonably priced.

This was exactly what I was hoping for. The place has a workshop feel; lots of industrial equipment and the acrid smell of shoe polish and glue. He’s got a selection of different materials for re-​soling. Usually takes about week to turn around an item. Very friendly guy too. I’ve had the following done, all to my satisfaction.
–re-​sole womans leather hiking boots
–re-​sole high heels
–re-​real mens leather hiking boots
–repair sole womans casual leather boots
–shine leather shoes
–resole womans casual leather boots
I forget how much I paid. but it’s about $ 10 – 30 to reseal, and about $ 30 – 80 to resole.
He does good clean work. Like all shoe repairs, you can’t expect a perfect result when you re-​sole or re-​seal but he does a very good job. Compared to the 2 other cobblers I’ve been to Hugo is by far the best.
I highly recommend you choose Hugo’s.

I took in a pair of Clarks Desert Boots (Beeswax) to get resoled after a year and a half of hard use and no treatment. I came in and showed them to him.
I told him I wanted a crêpe sole and I had to pay him $ 90 (cash only btw). A couple weeks later he told me that the company he uses to order material no longer carried crêpe so I chose another Vibram sole. Two weeks later I come to pick them up and I was ready to drill him for taking a month and charging me $ 90 for something that wouldn’t cost as much but before I could do that he refunded $ 20 and explained that he waterproofed them, oiled them, double-​stitched, pressed out creases and replaced parts of the shoe. It was worth the wait. I don’t think he would normally take 4 weeks for a repair as the soles I requested had to be delivered.
Excellent. Hugo is a man who is passionate about his work and actually cares for his customers, he is an expert and knows his craft well. I would definitely recommend him and I will return for any shoe/​leather repairs in the future.
Before/​After picture (click to enlarge photo):

I went to Hugo’s because 1) I needed to get a few things taken care of and 2) because it was close to where I live. The 1^st time I went they were closed, which was odd because I arrived 45 minutes before closing time. So I phoned the shop next day and asked until what time they would be open until, and Hugo said «until 5:15» which is hilarious as that was the exact time I showed up the day before. So I made sure to show up extra early that day. To be honest, I was quite skeptical. A kingsway joint where they close early?
When I brought my 3 items for repair I immediately was greeted by Hugo, a Colombian man with a heart as big as his smile and experience that is older than I am! Hugo knows how to deal with his customers as well as he repairs shoes. As soon as I presented him with my problems my skepticism turned to confidence. This man spent over a decade working for a famous shoe company back in his home country before taking his experience over here. I had a pair of Kenneth Cole New Yorks that had the sole worn through. I needed them resoled in 3 days so I could wear them to a wedding. I was assured that they would done in time and with impressive results. And I have to say, beyond the great job he did with the buttons on my shirt and the zipper on my luggage case my shoes looked phenomenal! For such unique soles as my shoes had I couldn’t believe how close he was to the original design. On top of that the soles were now more slip-​proof and the leather polished to perfection.
Hugo is the ideal face of a «mom and pop shop». He gives you a personal guarantee of satisfaction that no chain store could ever give you. When you see him the next time he knows who you are. He has amazing stories to tell if you ask him. He is the reason why neighborhoods still exist. I guarantee you that Hugo is an accomplished man that stands up to his philosophy (as on his website): «experience cannot be improvised».