Bradlee Shoe Repair

I took my boots here for a simple sole repair and shine. After four weeks and still not having repaired my shoes (I went in every week because they never called) I took my shoes and business somewhere else. In addition, the place is disgusting! There are piles of shoes and purses everywhere. I don’t think the place has been vacuumed since they opened their doors for the first time. After reading the reviews, I can’t believe someone would leave their $ 1000 shoes with these people! I was worried about leaving my $ 200 boots with them and rightfully so!

Christian Louboutin repair = awesome!!! They took care of 6 pairs of my beloved red bottom shoes in less than a week for only $ 25 each!!! Perfect!!!

Suede and Leather high heel review.
TL;DR $ 33.00 1 reheeling on leather heel, 1 suede high heel. My shoes don’t have the same texture anymore but they look *very* clean from far away. The underside of my Vince Camuto shoe (leather too) was touched by a product that shouldn’t have been used bc the stains are clearly visible. I explicitly asked them not to touch the bottom of this shoe, it is (WAS) clearly a supple leather that could easily be damaged.
I paid $ 33.00 for two heels. Awesome price in my opinion.
This is not a reflection of the woman at the front desk herself, because she is warm and welcoming, she seems very knowledgeable and somehow didn’t lose my shoes in the 3 weeks I left them there! However after reading other reviews I see that maybe I got lucky– because they miss their 1 week window and regularly take up to 3 weeks for 1 job.
Now I’m convinced a minor problem here is lack of communication from the front of the house to the back and vice versa. I dropped off each shoe for a specific reason but the whole shoe was treated (not equally good in all areas) excluding the inside of the heels. So — be VERY CLEAR if you don’t want a particular area cleaned. I would ask to see a note or tape attached.
Please feel free to Google my shoes to compare to your shoes.
1. Suede Diana Von Furstenburg Bethany Nude/​Suede
I dropped them off because my blue jeans had dyed the heel a light blue.
Instead of cleaning the heel of the shoe, he literally SCRUBBED all of the suede off in an attempt to clean them. I could have done that at home but I suppose he did it with more confidence. He scrubbed as hard as you can go, because that suede is GONE,. To his credit he did not go an inch too far because there are no obvious spots on the shoe. From far away the shoe appears to be clean but I know and anyone else that knows DVF will know that my shoe does not appear to be suede any longer. The brush lines are permanent and visible from a closer look.
Maybe this is the only result to be expected from a light pink suede shoe dyed with blue jeans. But I’m not going to take this risk again, I’ll be finding another cobbler for any suede shoe needs.
2. Made in Brazil Vince Camuto Signature line leather nude heel
I brought this shoe in for a touch up on the back of heel, it was beat up particularly badly because I drive in these and it rests on my car’s black interior.
He may have used a water based or spray on the bottom of this shoe. What once looked like supple smooth suede under the shoe (like the interior of a Mercedes or Porsche with Alcantara) now looks mangled and stained. IT IS NOT PRETTY. He sanded the back of the heel– at least that’s what it feels like it’s rough to the touch now. But to be clear the shoe is clean. Whatever he used on the inside of the shoe stained it orange. Which I have to assume was a mistake because the interior wasn’t cleaned.
Like I mentioned maybe a sanded feel of your clean looking leather shoe is what to expect from any cobbler. Maybe a scrubbed suede is also to be expected. Neither shoe feels like it did I. e smooth gorgeous signature Vince Camuto leather or silky suede but they look clean.

This place is absolutely terrible. I tried to find a shoe repair shop close to my house and Bradlee Shoe Repair was one of the first shops to come up. I gave them a shot. I dropped off my Christian Louboutin shoes to have sole protectors put on. It was $ 25 (very affordable), considering most places charge $ 45+. This was partially my fault too, but I gave them the shoe box, which contained the shoes and replacement heel tips. Upon picking up my shoes, the heel tips were missing. I asked them to call me if they turned up, but no call. You will notice when you walk in that this place is a HOT MESS. Piles and piles of shoes, stacked on top of each other. I knew they’d never find the heel tips. I forgot to mention– they told me it would take a week for the work to be done. I went back in exactly one week and they were not ready. No phone call, no apology… nothing. They did an okay job putting on the protectors. I went in a second time for the same purpose. Again… they were not ready in the timeframe they promised. No phone call… nothing. Third time, I took a pair of CL’s for the same work to be done and was told a week (again). At this point I should’ve learned my lesson, but I figured maybe they were just overwhelmed the two times prior. I went back exactly a week later, and the woman working there (the owner’s daughter) said, «I didn’t get to those yet.» At that point, I was furious. I told her I would’ve appreciated a call, to which she responded, «Yeah, I know.» (Really?!) So I took my shoes and walked out. I should mention that the excuse I received each time is that someone was «sick» and therefore shoes couldn’t be done in time. I do NOT recommend this place. I would much rather pay $ 45+ and have my shoes done in the time promised than be hassled by such unprofessional people. Please take my word and avoid this place at all costs.

Great generational family business. Owner a bit under the weather and his daughter who has stepped up to keep the business open is fantastic. Truly a «hidden» gem in Bradley Shopping Center (hidden to me but not to the generations if clients served).

Hours on Unilocal incorrect. They close at 6 not 7.
Good quality work for low cost. They re soled some men’s shoes for $ 24 I think.

I have used Bradlee Shoe repair for a few years and they have done good work. However, I left a pair of boots with them for a simple repair– gluing a flap down inside the boot. They kept them there for two months, In the meantime, I had been in, talked to them about other work, but my boots still were not ready.
Recently, when I went in to pick up my boots because I needed them for an out of town trip, they could not find them. It took a week of me calling every day before they finally found them. When I called to confirm that they had in fact found them, they advised that the boots were never repaired. While they do have some people out sick, they haven’t been out sick or two months!
I gave them so much time to get this job done, and even though they’ve known for a week that I needed these boots repaired because I was going out of town, they didn’t find them until the last day, and no repairs have been done. They weren’t even apologetic about it, either.
I am deeply disappointed in Bradlee shoe repair and wouldn’t advise using them for something you need at this time. It’s a shame because I did like them, but it’s a train wreck in there now.

Worse most unorganized place ever. I read review thinking one bad review is not enough to give it a try. 3 weeks and they are not even done with my shoes and won’t give my shoes back. Giving me excuse every time I come. No phone call or follow up. This place is a scammed! DO NOT GO HERE!

I travelled from the Virgin Islands with my John Varvatos shoes to repair the worn heel frankly because I wanted no compromise on the repair. I requested a a quick turn around and was advised that the shoes must be picked up by 5pm on Saturday due to the long holiday week-​end. Well, on Saturday I called at4:50 and mentioned I was 10 minutes out. Regrettably, I got there at 5:30 and the sign said closed! Yet the entire team was sitting there waiting and they were all receptive to my apologies. The shoes exceeded my expectations. The heel pads were precision trimmed without a scratch mark on the heel! Wonderful to see a family run business providing premium customer service and in business for so many years! Recommend unconditionally.

If you are a shoe enthusiast like myself, then you need to have Bradlee Shoe Repair in your arsenal when it comes to keeping your beauties looking fabulous.
Whatever my shoe woe happens to be, they have me covered, whether it’s something as simple as having my taps replaced or something more complicated like repairing a broken high heel.
When you walk in, all you see is disorganization (how do they find anything?) but it’s obviously a system that works for them (and they have never misplaced a pair of my pumps). They are reasonably priced and speedy with their repairs.
The staff are super friendly and even like to give me tips to ensure that I don’t run into the same problems with my shoes over and over again (like that broken heel)!
I love this place and you should love it too!

This is the best shoes repair in town. The lady and the gentleman who run the store are very sweet and polite. The price is great and the craftsmanship is excellent. I have several pairs of my Christian Louboutin shoes resoled and reheeled here, and I am very satisfied with the service. I highly recommend this place.

Knowledgeable. And fabulous service. I loved the cleaning & repair work done on each one of my 12 pairs of shoes.

As someone who owns more shoes than the average guy and loves to take care of them, finding a good shoe repair shop when a pair needs a little TLC while on an extended business trip, becomes paramount on occasion. My experience at Bradlee’s is one of the best I have ever had. Incredibly knowledgable, excellent workmanship, friendly, reasonable prices, everything you could ask for in a shoe-​repair shop. It may be disorganized as all hell, but don’t let that turn you away! Trust this man’s 50+ years in the business with no consternation.

I have been a patron of this shop off and on for over ten years. Joe is the only one allowed to touch my shoes. If you spend good money on your shoes, you want someone who knows what they are doing to work on them to keep them around for years and years. Joe has been doing this type of work for over fifty years. We need to continue to support these great small businesses in the Shirlington/​Fairlington area!

I feel really bad writing this because these people are real-​deal genuinely nice humans. Unfortunately they seriously screwed up my favorite pair of winter boots and made me come in to pick them up four times before they turned them back over worse than when I left them. I buy expensive boots because they’re worth it in the winter and replace soles and zippers as needed so they last forever. So I’ve had a lot of boots fixed right at various shoe repair shops as I’ve moved around the country. Here’s what happened at Bradlee Shoe Repair.
First Visit to the store: Dropped boots off at the end of September and asked for zipper replacement in both. Was quoted $ 70 and asked if I could wait 2 weeks. I said that wasn’t a problem as it wasn’t even cold yet.
Second Visit: I came in about 3 weeks later and was told that the guy they normally use couldn’t do it but they would do it and I should come back in a week. This whole thing would have been okay if at that point they’d said «We’re sorry but we don’t have someone who can do it right» and given them back.
Third Visit: I came back 10 days later and they said they didn’t have it done and I should come back in a four days.
Fourth Visit: I came back a week later at 9am on a Saturday to give them a little extra time and they told me they had more work to do and I should come back at noon. I asked how long the work needed would take and they said «10 minutes.» I said «can you call me when they’re done? This will be my fourth visit and I don’t want to make the trip unless they’re done.» He said «Just come back at noon.»
Fifth Visit: I went back at 1pm and they said «We need to buff them.» And I said «I’ll just take them in whatever condition they’re in.» While still holding them the lady said, «We’re only going to charge you $ 35.» and I said «Thanks. I appreciate it.» Then she handed me the boots and I looked at the zippers and they were sewn all crazy-​like. I said, «These are $ 300 boots and this is really bad work.» They didn’t charge me and I left.
To be fair, in my five trips to the shop there were many other customers there who seemed very pleased with their shoes and this is a family-​owned business run by nice people. But its a shoe repair shop and they made my shoes worse not better. I just wish they’d told me they couldn’t do it when the guy they usually use flaked.

Uggs repair!
I have had a really comfy pair of uggs for years, but guess I’m a heavy walker, because the sole was totally worn down. Didn’t think they would be salvageable, nor have I heard of any other place or any way to repair uggs, but low and behold found this place through a coupon flyer in my mailbox!
As others mentioned the store is in disarray, however, the staff are very nice. They did a great job re-​soling my uggs for $ 25 for the pair… also had the coupon, so 10% off, so got a discount on top. Instead of just patching, he put a whole new sole on the bottom and it matches great. They had the shoes back in 4 days, but seemed like if you were in a rush, they could accommodate.
A bit hard to find… it’s tucked away in the back corner… great mom and pop shop!

Pros: Great job on repair and good prices.
Cons: The store is super messy. Like, the part where I was waiting to drop off my shoes looked like a disaster, and the waiting-​to-​be-​picked-​up bags were in a heap. Good for them for being able to find anything!

They do a GREAT job. Sweet family-​owned business. The only place I take my shoes for heals and repair.

They are friendly and they do good work.
This was 1 of the 3 cobblers I tested in the area. The owner replaced the heel tips of my favorite strappy Cathy Jean heels and he did a great job. The cost was the lowest of any cobbler I’ve ever used in the past at only $ 12.
The thing that bothered me was the cluttered and unorganized look of the shop, the counter was topped off with tons of stuff and that forced the person tending the store to stand in front of the counter, making her easily mistaken for a customer. The clutter may be because they have a lot of customer but I did noticed a big sign that says they wil not be responsable for anything left over 30 days.
The shortest time for pickup was 2 days and I was surprised that I still had to wait a little bit when I went back, which meant that they were either trying to find my shoes in the clutter or that they had not yet done the work and were completing it while I waited. I was also testing them on their willingness to make the shoes look better and last longer. I expected them to ask if I wanted the inner sole glue back down since it was clearly peeling off and is noticeable when I wear them, but they didn’t suggested it. I would have been willing to pay extra for that if it had been an option. I’ll just have to resort to super glue.
I do recommend them base on the work quality. However, I probably won’t go back base on the aspect of the store, lack of suggestive options, location, and distance from my house.

If you ever wished you grew up in the days of soda fountains and sock hops (don’t lie, you’ve thought about it), Bradlee Shoe Repair is the place for you. It’s like time has stood still in here since 1955. No computers or computerized system for tracking your shoes. Same carpet, same décor — that is to say, none. Same little family-​run shop with the patriarch cobbler at the helm for nearly 50 years.
When you spend good money on your kicks, the idea of replacing them just because of a worn heel or loose sole pains you. If you form an unhealthy attachment to them like I do, it’s an even sadder prospect… don’t judge, I curate a beloved collection of these favorite accessories! So I want to know that if I do get my trusty friends repaired, it will be worth the cost, and they’ll come back looking great. I can be assured of both at BSR.
I’ve brought shoes that I couldn’t bear to part with here for some TLC, and BSR restores them to almost-​new. Husband drops his nicer work shoes here for re-​heeling, resoling, or new laces, and BSR does an impeccable job making them serviceable again. Shoes come back repaired beautifully and polished to a high shine.
The cobbler is truly knowledgeable about his trade, and he is always happy to offer advice and suggestions for maintaining your footwear or where to buy the highest quality replacements. Personally, I find it charming, and a bit refreshing, that there’s no computerization here. The cobbler inherently knows which brown paper bag in his stack of brown paper bags contains your pair. He remembers shoes rather than people: «You’re the square-​toe Johnston & Murphys», «You had the Aldo ballet flats.» He’s got a foolproof system, it just happens to be in his head.
Prices are *very* affordable, too, considering your alternative is dropping cash on a whole new pair of shoes. $ 20 — 30 for resoling and re-​heeling, plus a polish. They’ll replace laces, spot you a new insert, or fix frayed stitching as well. It’s rare to find true craftsmen operating independent, family-​owned businesses, so I’m happy to patronize this neighborhood institution.