Johnny’s Shoe Repair

I brought in a pair of boots to get the heels rewrapped on a Friday afternoon. He said it would be $ 59. Not knowing the «going rate» I left them to be done. I called another shoe repair shop and they told me it would be $ 15. I called Johnny’s shoe repair first thing Saturday morning and left a message indicating I did not want the work done and I would come in and pick up my boots on Monday. I got there early Monday morning and he told me he never received a message, I’m sure I called the right number and I’m sure I left a message, and that he had taken the boots home to work on. He said they were already torn apart. When I brought them in on Friday he said it would take 2 weeks so why in the world would they already be torn apart and why would they be at his home instead of his shop. I asked him if I can pick them up the next day and he said he would not be home for a couple days and he doesn’t know when he would be able to bring them back. He said he would call me when he brought them back. However they would be in pieces and so they wouldn’t be any good to me. All I was asking for a heel repair, I didn’t ask him to take apart the boots. He was very rude.

Wow! Brought in my scuffed leather heels and he buffed out the scuffs in less than five minutes and said, «No charge.»
Thank you!!!

Perfection! I’m so glad I found this gem. This is a local business worth supporting.
Go to Johnny’s and you won’t be disappointed! After finding Johnny’s on Unilocal,I called today to ask how long it’d take to fix the heel on my new pumps. Surprisingly, he said one hour! So, I brought my nearly new Michael Kors pumps in for him to fix since the black heel part snapped off of one. I arrived at 2:50 pm today, the Thursday before the holiday weekend. Johnny gave me a warm welcome and I sat the shoes on his counter. He asked when I wanted to pick them up. I asked how soon I could get them and again he said one hour. I couldn’t believe how quick he was able to fit me in! He wrote out my ticket and told me my total would be $ 15 and its cash only when I pick them up. He also wrote «cash» on the receipt. Be sure you bring both shoes because he needs to replace both heels so they’re even. When I returned promptly at 4 pm my shoes when already bagged up and ready to go! He did say an hour but I was skeptical they’d be ready. Again he greeted me with kindness. He took the shoes out so I could see his work and be sure it looked good. They were perfect and looked just like new! The total was exactly $ 15 just like he said. What an excellent experience!
I also asked him about fixing the frayed straps on my purse and he said he could do it but he also gave me great advice how I could clean them up for free!
While I was there I noticed he had a board that said «what I’m praying for today». It was filled with names of people and what they needed praying for. While I’m not very religious I found this board so sweet and read it for a while.
I highly recommend this place! It’ll be my first go to from now on. Great job Johnny!

First things first. Go see Johnny. purses, leather coats, ball gloves, shoes (dress or tennis, men’s or ladies) — Johnny is ready to solve it. and yes, you might think. «did I just walk through an Event horizon and travel back in time?» Yup. you might have.
Let’s be clear, «yes», there is a Seinfeld episode about a NYC couple that Kramer takes Jerry’s shoes to. This MIGHT be the couple that the story line of «The Mom and Pop Store» was based on. [Larry or Jerry, you can chime in here.]
Johnny’s Shoe Repair has been in LZ for 36 years. They moved to this location some time ago, but it’s the same corner, that alone is pretty amazing.
Johnny and his wife Niki are from Greece, and they are an absolute joy to deal with. It might be the smile, or the gentle Christian vibe or the fact that he knows more than you about whatever job you have in your hands. just let go and let Johnny.
You will see my «before and after» Tennis shoe job in the photos here. $ 30 to re-​condition a $ 100+ pair of sneakers that were basically ruined at an outdoor event which I didn’t mean to wear them. Now they are looking good as new.
The Unilocal said «Johnny’s» was the only shoe repair in the area so I popped in. I was shocked to see and meet a real Cobbler (look it up kids). Johnny knew exactly what was needed, he said, «1 week. not sooner.»
Well, one week later, I popped in and bang done. He should have offered me shades. they are sooo bright white. Like the day I bought them. I forgot to mention that Johnny’s only deals in cash. No credit cards — but that was fine. A quick jaunt to the ATM and I was back.
To wrap it up, Niki and Johnny are the best. I spent some time in the shop taking a few pics. You will want to do the same thing. They have been in the Lake Zurich area for 36 years. No computers required. Therefore Unilocalers, it’s up to us to not let Johnny and Niki meet the same fate as the couple in the Seinfeld episode. My tennis shoes were saved, next up, another pair of tennis shoes, a piece of luggage and then we’ll work on the leather coats. Very glad that Johnny’s is here in Lake Zurich — still.

Our review of Johnny’s is not a positive one. We left a shoe here to get repaired with our phone number to call when finished. We waited a few months and figured he was busy. We tried to be patient. Our reward? Upon dropping in to pick up the shoe, my wife was told he had thrown it away! That he couldn’t keep people’s stuff forever! Needless to say, we will never, ever go back and we will tell all who will listen about this unscrupulous businessman who cares so little for other people’s property.

Great places for shoe repairs are getting harder to find. I’m so glad this place is here. I scraped off some leather off the heel of my boots. He glued it back down and was able to make the tear almost disappear. I’m so happy because he saved one of my favorite pair of boots from the trash. Very sweet man at the shop

Our entire family has used Johnny’s for years. Always an honest repair of anything leather, from shoes, to purses to briefcases and backpacks.

Great service of a hard to find trade !!!