By Lora Settle

Old Town Shoe & Luggage Repair is an Old Town Alexandria staple, celebrating its 30th year in business this year. The owners, Don and Jenny Restrepo, have worked tirelessly over the years to provide exceptional service to the community. The business has been a consistent fixture of the frequently changing environment of Old Town and has played an important role in the wider DC-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area, as well.

In 1995, Don began operating the Shoe Mobile – a mobile shoe repair that serviced many businesses in the DMV area. In May of 1996, however, Don opened a brick-and-mortar store at 726 King Street, naming it Old Town Shoe & Luggage Repair. Don and Jenny recall fondly the support received from the Old Town community in the early days of their business – a support that has been unceasing through 30 years of business.

Old Town Shoe & Luggage Repair began doing contracted work for various businesses in the area in 1997, beginning with Nordstrom. The dedication, precision and fairness of pricing that Old Town Shoe & Luggage Repair provides to customers resulted in the business further expanding its client base to many of the area’s favorite performance venues, including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington National Opera, Arena Stage, Folger Theatre, Shakespeare Theatre Company, National Theatre DC, Signature Theatre, Lincoln Theatre, and Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts.

Old Town Shoe & Luggage Repair’s customer base continued to grow exponentially in 1998, when they began working with additional retailers, such as Salvatore Ferragamo, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bottega Veneta, Bloomingdale’s, Stuart Weitzman, Ermenegildo Zegna, Cole Haan, Johnston & Murphy, and Joan & David. Old Town Shoe & Luggage Repair began contracting with many local dry-cleaning companies around this time, as well. Additionally, Old Town Shoe & Luggage Repair contracts with various Federal agencies, such as the Coast Guard (c. 1998), Navy (c. 1999), Air Force (c. 2001/2002), and Fort Myer (c. 2007/2008).

Old Town Shoe & Luggage Repair moved into its current location at 824 King Street in 2010, moving only one block in its 30 years of business. Don and Jenny frequently express their appreciation for the Old Town community and their customers – both new and returning. They have always been concerned with the happiness and success of their employees, as well, which is evidenced by the fact that most of their employees have been with them for more than 10 years. It is family-owned and -operated businesses like Old Town Shoe & Luggage Repair that give Old Town Alexandria its unique personality.

Congratulations on 30 wonderful years of service, Old Town Shoe & Luggage Repair, and cheers to another 30 years!

Publishers Notes: Lani here adding my two cents to Lucy’s write up. We here at the OTC are proud to say that we were around when Don and Jenny embarked on their adventure. It has been a pleasure to watch a couple do so well and hanging in there for the long haul. While I was waiting to get some updates to what we wrote about OTS&L a few years ago and to take some new photos, the place had a steady stream of customers both dropping off and picking up various pieces of luggage and footwear. One woman found the exact pair of shoelaces that she had been in search of for quite some time – I eavesdropped on her conversation.

OTS&L has maintained 4-5 star ratings consistently over these 30 years. The quality of the shoe and luggage repair is stellar and they take great pride in their work. They pride themselves not only on their work but on their customer service. I have had them repair several pairs of shoes and purses over the years as well as doing a fabulous job of “patching” up two tears on my favorite leather coat and I can vouch for both the quality and the service on all.

In addition to the repair work, the store also has a large inventory of luggage and travel accessories with every size you can imagine. They also carry a nice line of shoe maintenance products, shoe laces, etc. Among them are the shoe shine sponges that I couldn’t live without.

In addition to the business of shoes and luggage, probably one of my favorite things about this store is the fact that they have in-store feline “ambassadors”. They can be seen lounging in the windows or among the many pieces of luggage throughout the store. I always stop and check the windows when I walk by.

Another thing I admire is the care that they give to the exterior of their building. You can always count on them to have amazing flowers and greenery all around the corner of King and South Alfred. They are an example of what more King Street businesses should seek to emulate.

We would be remiss if we didn’t mention Old Town Mini-Mart that adjoins the OTS&L. It is relatively the new kid on the block having only been open for a little over 4 years. It is the other arm of the Restrepo enterprise.  In addition to groceries, beer, wine and sundries, they also carry cell phone accessories and other electronic necessities. Maybe more importantly, they are the only place in Old Town that sells lottery tickets! Next time you are in Old Town, stop in and check it out!

Old Town Shoe & Luggage

824 King Street

Old Town Alexandria

703-299-0655

oldtownshoe@verizon.com