Garden District Shoe Repair

This place is absolutely terrible! Do not take your shoes or purses here. I have used them twice and they do not care about their work and they ruined shoes of mine. They offer a very soft apology and excuses. I gave them another chance after a very poor job on a purse. I watch them treat other customers the same way that they treated me

Where to start?! Well first, if you are told you will get your boots on Friday, you have to take a guess at which Friday they mean. It can be this Friday or the one 2 months away. Second, two different people asked if we wanted the boots polished, twice we said NO polish — the boots are grey with a vintage worn flat finish. Third, we asked for the Bed Stu boots to be re-​soled with THE EXACT SAME SOLE which is a flat sole with a higher wooden heal. They assured they would… by Friday!
After multiple visits back, the boots were never ready. We asked for them back regardless of the condition and they refused to give them back:“no! We fix by tomorrow at 5.” Take a wild guess… not ready! When finally my husband, at the 4^th visit back, raised his voice and asked for the boots again, the lady said «today at 5, I promise».
Results:
1. Finally ready — what?!
2. They re-​soled with a RUBBER construction boot sole with deep ridges, and with a heal too short. Therefore, the boot curls up and are impossible to walk in.
3. They.were.frigin.polished.
The boots look nothing like they originally did. My husband cannot walk on them because they feel like the heel fell off and they now look black and shiny.
Had we known, we would have read the reviews beforehand. A nice waste of $ 89 which we could have put towards a new pair instead…

DO NOT BRING YOUR LOUBOUTINS here!!! I brought 4 pairs of Louboutins to have the non-​slip padding put on the bottom of the shoes and when I got them back, he had SHAVED the front of my shoes. The finish was ruined and even the suede was nicked. Apparently they put on this padding and instead of precutting it, they throw on a huge piece then put it on a grinder. He put 4 pairs of $ 1100 shows ON A GRINDER!!! These people have no idea what quality shoes are. BEWARE!

Overpriced and underwhelmed
The shop is a disaster — should have tipped me off. Shoes not ready when promised first and second time — wasted time and the job was done with zero finesse. Next time I’ll schlep to Metairie. HELLO somebody should open a shoe repair shop downtown — they’d make a killing.

very poor communication, and even worse work, and way overpriced. i took three items in, and they botched all three: tried a glue repair on a zipper, which didn’t even fix the problem, and tried to give to me as repaired (another shop immediately knew the whole zipper should be replaced); used the wrong color shoe polish, despite me making them put the right color polish in the boot when i dropped if; stitching on second boots, missed the new pieces of leather, on BOTH boots, and again, they just wanted me to take them as done. total price was $ 150, which i had to negotiate down.
apparently there is new owner, and prices have gone way up. i haven’t tried the place across the street, but went in and talked to them, and could at least feel like they were responsive.
update: went back for last pair of boots, wherein they were repairing their previous mistake, and while they did fix that problem, it turns out they still botched it by leaving old leather bunched up under new leather, so that they are painful and unwearable.
try the place across the street. they fixed the zipper on the jacket fine.

I would prefer to give NO stars! I have been a customer of Garden District Shoe Repair for 5 years. It was a little disorganized, however, my shoes were always repaired. Well, this place has turned into a joke. They tell you a price for repair, and then charge you another price which is double what they originally told you. If you MUST go here because it is the LAST resort, make sure to get someone to write on your ticket the ACTUAL price for the repair. Completely disgusted with this place.

Do not go here! They overcharge and are extremely rude.
One of the worst experiences ever. I had read other reviews hoping that I would be able to avoid the situation others have faced. I took my boot in to have the zipper replaced, since I didn’t trust myself to do it. They promised me that it would be replaced by that Saturday (I’d brought it in on Tuesday) and that they would call me to let me know. Saturday came around and still no call. I called them and was told that the zipper was replaced and that I could come pick it up. I arrived and was given my newly repaired boot. They charged me a grand total of 60 dollars (much more money than I was prepared to spend). I paid and left the store, my boot in hand, as soon as I stepped outside to out it on, I discovered that the zipper hadn’t been replaced and the hole that I’d wanted fixed was still there. I brought it back in and told them that the problem wasn’t fixed. They asked when I needed it fixed by to which I answered «Tuesday.» (This Tuesday, the day I’m writing this review). Again I was promised a phone call and again, they failed to call me. I called the 18 times before someone answered the phone and I was told that my boot was not repaired. The man on the other end of the phone then proceeded to hang up on me before I could ask any further questions. I am still waiting for my boot.

I brought my shoes for repair here for the first time today, and I had a great experience!
They replaced the heels tips for two pairs of my pumps while I waited!
I was not sure what to expect based on some of the reviews, but they are under new ownership and seemed to have made improvements! Highly recommend!

Where is the negative star option? Having to give 1 star seems to mean I even acknowledge them as a legitimate business.
Shoes beware! I took a pair of slingback heels in to have the back elastic replaced. Started out great, the guy was super nice and asked if the elastic pinched. Yep. No problem, we’ll make it a bit longer. Fabulous! I dropped them off on a Tuesday and they were supposed to be ready the following Saturday. I wasn’t able to pick them up until the following Wednesday. When I walked in, they weren’t ready. He said he needed to measure it on my foot to make sure the length was correct. Cool, I’m down with that and appreciate the attention to detail. I then noticed the elastic was brown. My shoes were black patent. I asked why it was brown and the «cobbler» said, «Oh don’t worry about it. I’ll make it black.»
That should have been my cue to take my shoes and run. I just returned from picking them up now. Not only was the workmanship so incredibly poor, they stuck a safety pin with the tag through the leather! There is now a hole in the side of my shoe. Mind you, and not that it matters because I would be furious no matter what shoes they were and how much they cost, but these were incredibly, incredibly expensive shoes. They were given to me as a gift and probably the only time in my entire life I will ever have shoes like these.
When I expressed my horror that there was now a hole in the side of my shoe, the response from the «cobbler» was, «Oh it’s just a pin hole, nobody’s going to see it on the side of your shoe. It doesn’t matter.»
Are you kidding me? Did I mention these were slingbacks? They could have easily slid the safety pin over the back strap, not having to put a hole anywhere. The «cobbler» then literally waved his hand at me, turned around and walked away saying «whatever.» When I asked to speak to the owner, her response was, «Well how are we supposed to keep the identification tags attached?» I don’t really know, and I’m not a cobbler, but I would think the very last thing you’d want to do is poke a freaking hole through the side of the shoe!
Hole-​in-​the-​side-​of-​the-​shoe issue aside, the work done on the actual repair was horrible. The new elastic didn’t stretch, it was very clearly just recolored with black leather coloring and the elastic was so thick, the shoe didn’t even wrap around the new elastic. The elastic was clearly visible, along with the glue and the torn thread along the side. I took my shoes and ran across the street. The guy over there just shook his head and said he could fix it. Probably not the hole in the side. Here’s hoping.
But if you love your shoes, no matter how cheap or expensive, DO NOT trust them to these people who very clearly don’t care about their work or the satisfaction of their customers.
However, notwithstanding the hole in the side of the shoe, the beyond horrible work, the dismissiveness of both the owner and the «cobbler,» and the lack of having it done when it was supposed to be, this experience was awesome. I got to experience a new level of rage I’ve never felt before and I got a snoball afterwards.

I took a pair of heels in to get cut down so that I would actually wear them for more than an hour. I went in on a Saturday and requested they be done by the following Wednesday because I was leaving to go out of town & wanted to have them with me for a wedding I was attending. It was clear the place had been there for a while & I’m a fan of supporting local businesses. The girl at the counter was friendly and assured me that they would definitely be done by Wednesday.
Because of their hours & my schedule — I wasn’t able to go by there until right before I was heading out to the airport on Thursday. I had read a couple bad reviews since I dropped them off and was a little nervous that they would not be ready, would not be done well, or would possibly be lost.
Unfortunately, the reviews were not too far off. When I went in — they had a bit of trouble finding my shoes. When they did — turns out that they had hardly been touched. The guy told me he was sorry & that they should’ve called me yesterday. He went on to say it wasn’t his fault. Thankfully I had planned on an alternative pair of heels to wear and did not need these heels though I wanted to take them. I was frustrated & told them how I was leaving for a trip & was supposed to have them to take. They gave me attitude about it like I was the one who did something irritating. The guy told me that if I would stop talking to him he could go & work on them. I asked how long it would take & he said he didn’t know. I didn’t have time to wait.
Before I left, I told them that when I returned — I expected to get a discount or a refund. The guy was flabbergasted & asked why? I said because I am not able to take them on a trip that I was supposed to. He was like no way — that’s not my fault! Ha!
The girl behind the counter indicated that she would talk to the owner & make sure that I was compensated somehow.
Today, two weeks after dropping them off, I went in to pick them up. I was hoping that they would be done & would give me some sort of discount without a fight.
I handed them my ticket and the guy promptly handed me someone else’s shoes. A pair of men’s shoes. I could’ve walked out with someone else’s shoes had I not cared to look and see how my shoes turned out. When I said — these are not my shoes — the guy looked surprised and a little annoyed. Huh? Oh jeez.
Once I had the right shoes, and had tried them on to test them out, I mentioned my displeasure with not being able to take them on my trip. The guy gave me a $ 6 refund which is basically a 40% discount. That at least made me leave mostly satisfied.
But I will definitely not go back. Not worth the stress of wondering whether or not my shoes would be done, done well, or on time.
Go there if you want — but at your own risk.

I brought an old pair of ankle boots there to get the heel tips replaced. She asked when I needed them by, so I said next week would be fine. Then she said «If you wait about 10 minutes, we’ll have it done.» I don’t even think it took 10 minutes and I was out of there with my favorite boots ready to be worn again! Great service!!!

I gave up on this place after my last encounter: I took in boots to have a few klondikes repaired. AFter three weeks, I went to pick them up and they weren’t ready. Told me he had to order the klondikes first. But hadn’t yet. After three weeks. So I went back three weeks later. Klondikes were in! Hurrah! But not on the boot yet. Went back three weeks later (we’re at 9 weeks now): klondikes are on boots! BUT… they are a different size than the original ones, and obviously so. AND… one is on BACKWARDS.
I was so angry that he didn’t charge me. So that’s something. But still! TWO MONTHS AND DONE WRONG is not a good deal even for free.
So here it is a year later, and I have a few more klondikes to replace (I wear the hell out of these boots). So I order the klondikes myself (right kind, doesn’t take three weeks). And I’m feeling like maybe it’ll be ok this time. I’m providing all the materials — all he has to do is punch them in with his machine, right? What could go wrong?
I take them in, drop the boots off. He says «NO PROBLEM. One week.» I say: «I’ll be out of town next week, so I’ll pick them up in two weeks.» And then I can’t get there so it’s now been three weeks til today when I go to pick them up.
He hasn’t even looked at them. IN THREE WEEKS. UNTOUCHED. Then he tells me he might not be able to use the klondikes I provided. Of course, he hasn’t actually looked at them yet, so he’s not sure. But they might not work. THREE WEEKS. Untouched. No answer. Can’t even tell me till tomorrow. But wants to know if the klondikes I provided — from the manufacturer of the shoes — don’t work, can he use the ones he has. Which are a totally different size. REALLY? Jesus.
Anyway. NOT RECOMMENDED. Totally incompetent. I don’t know if he’s lazy or just takes on more work than he can handle. Either way, it’s not worth the frustration, anger, and headache you will get… WELL BEFORE YOU EVER SEE YOUR SHOES AGAIN.

A big thanks to these guys for repairing my shoes in a day so I could have them in time for a wedding (the soles needed replaced, which required stitching and gluing, because one of them broke that day). I don’t know much about fair prices, but $ 40 to re-​sole two shoes was less than the $ 60 they cost originally (several years ago) and less than new shoes would have cost!

This place was recommended to me by the shoe shine guy who works on Royal St across from the Monteleone. I accidentally went the the place up the street… BIG MISTAKE! When I finally made it here I was so incredibly impressed. Not only are they professional, they are also fast AND fairly priced! They have now repaired 8 different pairs of my shoes and done a fantastic job with each pair! Everything from Christian Laboutin to Jimmy Choo to Cole Haan! They are awesome!
Oh, and I almost forgot! I had a fabulous pair of zebra print satin stilettos that had become dingy, and several shades from their original lustrous white, after all of my fantastic nights on the town. I brought them in for a heel repair and they suggested a shampoo. My beautiful shoes are as good as new!

ruined a pair of brand new Loubs! Went to get red grip sole on bottom and somehow my shoe cane back scuffed! After two weeks of owner trying to correct, its jus not the same.

I’ve been going to this shop for years. They’ve always done a mediocre job — not great but pretty good. Granted, usually I just need the shoe caps replaced on a heel, so I’m not sure how they’ve done with their bigger jobs. Today, however, I became very angry with Garden District Shoe Repair. I brought 2 pairs of heels in for repair last Thursday. They weren’t big jobs and they said they’d be ready on Saturday. I didn’t go in to pick up on Saturday and I went in today (Tuesday) and one pair wasn’t fixed. The owner came out and said he’d «have them done later today» but I didn’t have time to come back or any time later in the week. So I said I’d take the shoes back, unhappily, and he looked at me like «What?» and then he said, «I forgot» and SHRUGGED like it was no big deal! He forgot!!! I will certainly be taking my business elsewhere from now on!

A girl can spend hours in labor. Congratulations! She just birthed a healthy baby shoe.
Trotting around this ‘New Orleans in a Minute City’, a Shoeillonaire is bound to house the everything but shoe in her closet. Excuse me Mr. Choo, don’t interfere with my social life. Let’s face it, NOLA is filled with great people /​food (have you read my reviews?) and fab shoes.
A night of champagne spilled on your cute platform. A cosmo just dropped on your nudes. On the dancefloor belting ‘too high to get over, too low to get under’ ‘OUCH’ ‘you wanna be startin somethin”? It’s Halloween and your reds are blooded with a smashing pumpkin. It’s NYE and your sashe’ing to your car and ‘YIKES, my foot is stuck in this tiny hole on Decatur’. It’s beignet and coffee time and ‘Oh no she didn’t”? Oh yes she did, shower your shoe with a mocha latte. You can have a repair person for just about anything, your feet are no different.

Within its cramped confines are numerous tattered signs indicating the 50% down on all repairs policy, the proscription on cell phone use, and the benefit of a life spent accepting cash over extending credit… don’t be intimidated! Behind the slightly irrascible exterior is a family who takes as good care of you as they do your shoes, which is to say excellent. I trust them with my over leveraged shoe collection and so should you.

While parking may be a pain in the behind, this shoe repair shop is the place I’ve been looking for. I came in to fix the heel of my boots and they had me in and out in less than 10 minutes.
Will definitely come back!

Let’s be perfectly honest: I keep coming back here because Martin’s is across the street and snowballs are next door.
My experience with them wasn’t stellar, but I blame myself because I brought in a purse strap. The strap arrived broken, but it seemed like an easy fix so I kept the purse. Move to New Orleans, see a shoe repair shop, drop in. Sounds good, ja?
The counterlady is efficient and won’t put up with an ounce of your bullshit. She has that look, and I watched her skin a non-​paying customer alive. Don’t lie to the lady, and don’t waste her time. She’s not interested. This, I appreciate.
In the three weeks (and three visits) that it took for my strap to be repaired, I saw every make and model of shoes come waltzing through. If stores sell it, they can fix it here. If they can’t fix it, they won’t waste your time by trying; instead, they’ll tell you up-​front. (This pisses some people off, but please.)
My boots and my lady’s boots will be making a visit for their own set of repairs before too long so I can judge them on their shoe repair. Until then, I wouldn’t recommend bringing in purses (leather or no) for repair. They were able to fix my clasp, but it took too long and was more expensive than I thought it should be. Oh well. Cobbler’s gotta pay the bills, too.
Accessibility notes: Stairs into the shop. Door sticks. No braille signage. Very loud inside. Small, cramped waiting area.