The trade of cobbling is far less common today than it was in its heyday. America has become more of a ‘throw-away society,’ yet one local family continues to offer this essential service in a familiar Brentwood location, and thrive. “A lot of people don’t realize that their shoes can be repaired,” says Trent Potter, owner of Southern Polished.
The roots of shoemaking in America date back to Jamestown in 1610. In the colonial era, a shoemaker and a cobbler were considered two different trades. While shoemakers were considered skilled artisans who made the shoes by hand, cobblers – who required less training — were viewed simply as shoe repairmen. After all, the word cobbler, according to Dictionary.com is defined as “to put together roughly or clumsily.” By the mid 19th century, however, it was necessary for the two occupations to merge due to the introduction of shoe manufacturing.
Potter, who often sports a stylish bow tie in the hot summer months, attracts a variety of customers to the business, which offers shoeshines and shoe repair. “There are so many people that bring in their shoes to be shined that don’t realize they need more than that, like re-heeling.” On the other hand, he reveals that other customers just can’t seem to part with their favorite shoes, and bring them in for repair despite their dilapidated condition.
Potter fondly recalls one customer who brought in his favorite pair of shoes — which happened to be boots. “He wore them out. They were obliterated.”
He says that when the customer’s boots were finished, they looked brand new. “He loved them,” says Potter. “He is a musician and has been wearing these boots onstage for years. He was so afraid he was going to have to throw them out, but after we finished with them, he’ll be able to wear them many more times.” Potter says the most challenging jobs are some of his favorites.
Another type of boot Southern Polished repairs daily are the popular women’s riding boots, with the heels and bottoms requiring the most repair. “Name brand doesn’t always mean quality,” Potter reports.
Located on Church Street East, Southern Polished opened in the summer of 2014 when Trent – who had been operating a part-time shoe shine business — decided to leave the corporate world. His brother, Heath, a teacher who had learned the art of shoemaking as a hobby, joined him. Together with their dad, Norm, a retired Air Force Colonel, they began Southern Polished in the former Shoe Repair business, which is adjacent to Judge Beans. They have since remodeled the interior and exterior of the building.
This past summer, the family entered the shoemaking business, launching a line of quality-crafted flip-flops and sandals.
“We really try to be honest with folks,” says Potter. “We try to be fair and recommend what needs to be done and that’s how we like to run our business.”
Says Potter, “Southern Polished incorporates not only a well-polished pair of shoes but an overall polished and well put-together look.”
To learn more about Southern Polished, click here.
