The Economics of Everyday Things 116. Cobblers
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Dec 1, 2025 
Jim McFarland, a fourth-generation cobbler and owner of McFarland's Shoe Repair, shares his journey in the declining world of shoe repair. He highlights the surprising increase in demand for cobblers, despite the industry's challenges with fast fashion. McFarland discusses the intricate process of recrafting shoes and the appeal of high-end footwear. He also dives into his growing mail-in business and use of social media to teach the craft, aiming to inspire the next generation of cobblers.
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Family Legacy Of Shoe Repair
- Jim McFarland inherited McFarland's Shoe Repair and grew up learning the craft from childhood.
- He felt compelled to keep the shop after his father's death and aimed to perfect the trade.
Shrinking Industry, Growing Workload
- The cobbler trade has declined sharply from tens of thousands to a few thousand shops in decades.
- Yet remaining cobblers face rising demand because fewer shops serve many quality-shoe owners.
Quality Shoes Support Repair Economics
- Fast fashion and synthetic materials make many modern shoes non-repairable.
- High-quality leather shoes remain recraftable and improve with age, sustaining cobbler demand.