Michael's Shoe Repair: Keep Carroll Gardens' Only Remaining Cobbler In Business

Michael Davidov of Michael's Shoe Repair Shop

For more than 25 years, Michael Davidov has fixed Carroll Gardeners' leather shoes and handbags on Smith Street between President and Union Streets, first at number 309 Smith Street, and then at 319 after a move.

He almost closed his shop in 2012, when his rent more than doubled, but he expanded his business to include watch repairs and offered some related merchandise and continued serving the neighborhood.

The current Corona pandemic may, however mean a permanent closure without the community's help.

A Go Fund Me page has appeared online, which reads:

"Dear friends, customers and neighbors,

Because of the shut down of nearly all business in Carroll Gardens due to the COVID-19 virus our employees at Michaels are not able to work and provide for themselves and their Families. We are disheartened to have to temporarily close but we hope that with enough support from you our loyal clients we will get by and overcome.

We have been working in this neighborhood for nearly three decades, made it through 9/11, the 2008 financial crisis and insane rent increases but this one is hitting us by far the most.

Please consider supporting Michael and his employees.

We appreciate anything that you are willing to give. 100% of donations will go directly to our staff to help keep them afloat until we can get back to serving your repair needs.

With gratitude,
Michael's Shoe Repairing"

A later update from Michael's son Joseph states:

Dear Supporters, thank you so much for your help, I greatly appreciate you generosity.

The situation is dire as we have not received any governmental relief. Please consider sharing our pledge for help on social media (we are shoe repair men with very limited social media skills).

Again, thank you so much for your support!

Of course, many local residents have lost their jobs and are struggling to pay their rent themselves. But if you are in the lucky position of still being employed and live in Carroll Gardens, please consider donation.

PLEASE DONATE HERE

You can read more about this business here.
Michael's Shoe Repair: Despite Rising Rent, This Small Smith Street Business Staying Put

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After Thirty Years, Bron Yakov Shoe Repair Closes Its Doors On DeGraw Street

Cobbler Yakov Bron

(photo credit: Alex B. via Yelp)

Several Carroll Gardeners have reached out to us in the past few days to say that Bron Yakov Shoe Repair at 298 DeGraw Street is closing its doors.  Though the business only occupies a tiny little hole in the wall at the corner of Court Street since 1987, it will be missed by many.
PMFA reader Mary-Jean has been going to Yakov for the past twenty years and calls him "one of the last 'real deals' in the area."
Another reader, Kassie wrote of that the Odessa-born shopkeeper is "not the most talkative man in our ‘hood but he alway got the job done. I’ll be sorry to see him go."
According to reader Fred,  Made 4 Me, which sells special occasion dresses, will also be closing. "The woman in the dress shop next door who owns the building said he was in this location for 20 years. She’s been in business for 48 years and she’s closing later this year."
We hear that the shoe repair shop is now only open so that people can pick up their shoes. It was, however, closed closed yesterday at 11:45, when I walked by to take the photos above.

Michael's Shoe and Watch repair store on Smith Street between President and Union Streets is still
in business, though it did almost close in 2012 due to a rent increase.
Let us make sure to support Michael's before we lose the last cobbler in the neighborhood.

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Michael's Shoe Repair: Despite Rising Rent, This Small Smith Street Business Staying Put

Great news! Michael Davidov of Michael's Shoe Repair Shop will be staying at its current location at 319 Smith Street after all.

Back in the spring, it seemed as though Davidov was going to be forced to close his shop. The
building housing his business was sold recently and the new landlord informed Davidov that he would increase the rent from $2,700 a month to $5,000 a month once the current lease expires in November '12.

Though it is a significant jump in rent for a small business like his, Davidov decided to sign a ten year lease and to stay put. After all, he has been a fixture on Smith Street between Union and President Streets here in Carroll Gardens for 19 years, ever since he took over an existing Shoe Repair store at Number 309 Smith Street. Nine years ago, he moved his business to 319 Smith Street on the same block.

During nearly two decades in the neighborhood, he has repaired countless shoes, zippers and bags for local residents. In 2007, he even made New York Magazine's Best Neighborhood Shoe Repair list.

I stopped by Michael's Shoe Repair Shop on Friday to tell Davidov how glad I was that he was staying in the neighborhood.  He smiled, obviously relieved that he had signed the new lease, even if it means his rent has gone up significantly.  "What can I do?" he asked, shrugging his shoulders.

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Another Long-Time Smith Street Business Forced Out Because Of Huge Rent Increase

Michael Davidov has been a fixture on Smith Street between Union and President Streets here in Carroll Gardens for 19 years, ever since he took over an existing Shoe Repair store at number 309 Smith Street. Nine years ago, he moved his business to 319 Smith Street, just a few storefronts away.

During nearly two decades on this one block, he has repaired countless shoes, zippers and bags for local residents. In 2007, he even made New York Magazine's Best Neighborhood Shoe Repair list.
Unfortunately, Davidov will most probably have to move very soon.. The building recently sold for $1,200,000, and the new landlord has informed Davidov that he will double the monthly rent.
Davidov's current $ 2,700 a month lease runs out in November '12, but he knows he won't be able to afford to stay at this location for $5,400.

In the meantime, he is trying to find a smaller storefront in the neighborhood, but does he doesn't seem very confident that he will find anything affordable.
Luckily, his son is safe at his own little shoe repair store, Joseph's, at 178 Smith Street.
If you know of a small, affordable, retail place in the neighborhood, stop by and tell Davidov about it. He would really appreciate it.

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