Swanson Shoe Repair

Reliable, quality shoe repair.
If you’re new to the cobbler world – here are some basics: Cobbler hours are odd, they usually only take cash or check, quality work does take a little bit of time (aka no in at 9a out by 5p). Reading other reviews, I needed to state that up front.
Swanson’s does qualtiy work at a fair price. I’ve had multiple high heels fixed here and my knee high boots soles replaced as well.
Always a pleasure.

I NEVER write reviews, but I read many. I needed some boots stretched and went to several places, including where I purchased them. None of the places could get them right or they don’t stretch boot shafts. Well, I was referred to Swanson’s by another shoe repair shop. I read reviews that were negative but since this was my last resort for stretching a couple pair of expensive boots that I could not part with before wearing at least once, I took them there. My experience was amazing, they did a fantastic job with the boots. The lady in the shop would not give up until they were to my satisfaction and fit. She worked on them for a total of three visits and did not charge me more for the extra time and effort. Well worth the wait. I will refer as many people as possible to this business and will definitely be a repeat customer.
Great job Swanson’s.

Two star instead of one due to friendly service, however I won’t be coming back here. I brought my dress shoes in for a simple replacement of the skid pads. When they told me it would take 5 weeks (!!) I was shocked but figured maybe this was due to the holiday season and really needed it done so went ahead and left my shoes (and since this was only the second time I’ve ever had this done I thought maybe this was a standard turnaround time).
After 5 weeks (+ one day), I came by to pick them up and they said they weren’t done since there was some sort of machine issue and it would be done the next day. So I had to come back again the next day.
They did discount 10% due to the 1 day delay, which was nice, but I was still shocked that after having them for 5 weeks they had just started working on them.
I also confirmed after calling a few other local cobblers that 5 weeks is totally out of the norm, 2−3x longer. I also asked if 5 weeks was standard for them or if it was just due to the holidays and they said it was standard.
So bottom line, friendly service and the quality seems good but unless you think the quality is worth the wait, there are better options in the city. It really seems to me that they need to look at hiring another person so they can keep up with the demand and compete with other businesses rather than slowly losing potential customers like myself.

First off I am very disappointed in what has been done to my boots. I would give this a zero star if I could. I sent in a pair of frye boots to be repaired, they needed the zipper replaced and they needed new soles. The soles looked fine but the zipper was awful. The boots came with silver hardware which is why I bought them. Swansons replaced the silver zipper with BRASS, a tacky looking metal that completely ruined the look of my shoe. Swansons never contacted me to ask if it was okay to change the zipper metal from silver to brass. They did it anyways and now the boots are unwearable. The least they could have done would be to call and ask if it was okay. When I asked about a silver zipper after the fact they said they only had brass zippers. Maybe consider ordering silver zippers for your business? It’s really not that hard. Anyways I am very disappointed and I will never be using this business again.

Avoid at all costs. First visit: the gentlemen was particularly rude to my wife in answering perfectly logical questions regarding the work to be done on her shoes. An absolutely unprofessional and insulting individual! But we were new to the city and needed a cobbler so we gave our business. They only accepted cash (of course) which we paid at the first visit; then when we returned for the shoes, there was no record of payment (of course) so we had to pay again, even after explaining that we had already had made payment. Since we are in the 21^st century, we don’t have a habit of keeping receipts of all our purchases. I’m sure the proprietor would insist that we are the ones to blame for the double charge. No worries, we won’t be coming back, nor will anyone we know.

The repair took them over a month, the staff were curt, I feel it was more expensive than all the other boot repairs I’ve had done, and the boots already squeak with every step a year and a half later. Sure, they got the job done in the short term, but I’m not coming here again.

I’ve never been disappointed with the work they do, from small repairs like button replacements to entire sole replacements. They even carry red soles for Louboutins, fixing about a pair a week. The only thing they don’t do is re-​wrap leather around a heel.

Absolutely great service as well as excellent workmanship from a family-​run business. They have repaired shoes, fixed wallets and bags, all at extremely reasonable prices. I highly recommend this business!

Unfortunately, despite the great reviews, my experience with Swanson was negative. I had a pair of fairly new Frye boots resoled, swapping out the leather bottoms for rubber. The result was very sloppy and rushed. After having multiple weeks to do a very common adjustment, I expected much more. Looking at the transition from wood to rubber around the sole, you can see where they tried to sand down the two to become seamless. Instead, there are sporadic indents where they over sanded. The nice clean lines on my Frye boots now feature awkward indents. I wanted to like this place, but I do not think I will return.

There’s a shoe repair shop closer to my work in Ballard, but their hours of operation are weird so I was recommended to head over to Swanson’s in Wallingford for shoe repairs.
I had two sets of shoes repaired; the first a pair of leather slingback flats whose strap became unsewn and needed some secure stitching. The other set is a pair of nude peeptoe heels where they heel nub (don’t know the proper term) needed replacing as it had worn down to the nail underneath. I headed there about 2 weeks ago with the shoes and was promptly (though not warmly) greeted. I was handed a blue chit with the «ready by» date of ⁸⁄₁ and cost: $ 17.00 written on it.
I was a little surprised that such simple repairs was going to cost me $ 17.00 plus tax, but then again, it was cheaper than replacing both pairs of shoes (and I like these shoes) so I happily accepted the cost.
Being the total dork that I am, I didn’t actually notice the «pick up» date of ⁸⁄₁ on the stub. I took them in on a Wednesday, the guy said they’d be ready Saturday. As I couldn’t come in that Saturday, I returned on the following Tuesday. The lady who works there asked if I’d been called to pick up my shoes early — so this is when I realized I was coming too soon to pick up my shoes. I was half hoping that they had already fixed them but unfortunately they weren’t (wishful thinking!), so I had to make a return trip
I made the return trip yesterday on my lunch break, only to arrive and find that Swanson’s is closed on Monday. Sheesh, you’d think I could follow instructions. Alas, I returned today when they were open, and when my shoes were actually finished — third time’s the charm! The same lady helped me again, and with tax my shoe repairs came to just over $ 18.00.
I am happy with the shoe repairs, they look almost as good as new. If I need shoe repairs again, I’ll likely go back to Swanson’s because they’re convenient, especially when one properly observes their «ready by» dates and hours of operation :).

Equestrian’s not only has Swanson’s repaired zippers on my riding boots, but now they have also successfully repaired my bridle with a three quarter tear in noseband strap. They stitched and glued it back to perfection. Thought I better share this little gem with all equestrians who want save their favorite equipment.
Thanks Swanson’s!

As good as a small business gets. Family owned, high-​quality work, friendly, and great prices. Did an awesome job repairing my Swedish Hasbeen clogs. It’s very apparent they really care about their work!

Swanson’s is fabulous! Great pricing and quality work — thank you for making our feet so happy! We have been going there for years!

had been looking to get an older catchers glove restrung. called around to a few places, and someone recommended swansons. i had called ahead for an estimate and was told that it really depended on the work needed. the webbing had popped pretty badly. Pat? i may be completely making that name up gave me a quote of $ 30 – 40 which seemed totally fair to me. a week later upon pick up it came to $ 43 and change after tax and she had restrung the entire thing, incredibly grateful, excellent job thank you. she also fixed up another glove in two minutes at drop off for free.
im not fully sure what i would take to a shoe repair (i dont have those types of shoes) but it looked like they did a nice job. i would totally recommend this place
CASH OR CHECK ONLY

CASH and CHECK ONLY. Just a reminder, as I forgot.
I came here to have some expensive Asolo hiking boots slightly restitched, as part of the stitching on a rubber molding had started coming undone. I opted for repair because the boots are still great in most other respects. Probably just a little under half worn. Based on what I had heard about cobblers, I was apprehensive. I was afraid of the «Well, repairing this would be expensive, you might as well buy a new pair,» response.
Not here. The people who helped me were professional and eager to earn my business. I recommend this place. Again, don’t forget that they don’t take credit.

I’ve been extremely happy with the repair, new soles and cleaning of several pairs of shoes and boots I’ve brought here. Quality work, friendly staff and beyond reasonable prices. The only thing that could be better would be the lead time needed for the work to be done, but well worth it considering all the positives. It only shows that lots of people bring their shoes here for repair.

Friendly, fast and reliable.
I’ve brought in two pairs of Johnston&Murphy shoes to get them cleaned up and everything has been perfect. The staff was knowledgeable and it was clear that they were committed to educating each of their customers. It’s nice to know that it’s a family business that has been around for three generations. Support them!

I found this shop to be neither fast nor friendly. All three staff were rude. Not going back!

I have a hard time trusting others with my shoes, especially when I’ve paid a pretty penny for them. But, knowing the importance of proper shoe care and the dampness of a Seattle rain season, I spent time looking for the best place to get sole protectors my new leather boots.
Let’s just say Swanson’s did not let me down. Service is fast and efficient — there’s no need to spend more words than necessary to get the repair you need. I was told my boots would be done in a week but they were done a few days early. I admit I was nervous about opening the box, but I did and dang my shoes looked good!
So if you need to protect your new boots before letting them out into the rough and tumble of Seattle weather and don’t mind waiting for quality work to be done, bring them here!

I am thoroughly impressed!
I had snapped the heel off of one of my pumps and brought them in here on the off chance they could do something… the gentleman working took my shoe apart in front of me in a snap, and knew exactly what was wrong. He was able to extract the sheared screw and put my favourite pair of pumps back together! All for ¹⁄₁₀^th of what it would have cost to replace.
I highly recommend Swanson Shoe Repair.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Cash or Check only!