Florida shoe cobbler mends more than soles

Рет қаралды 19,737

3 ай бұрын

Jim McFarland, a fourth-generation shoe cobbler in Lakeland, Florida, never anticipated his trade mending shoes would lead to millions of views on social media. People are captivated by his careful craftsmanship: removing, then stitching and gluing soles on leather footwear. Across the country, some send him letters, sharing the stories behind their most cherished belongings. NBC News’ Sam Brock brings us his story.
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#Florida #Shoes #Cobblers

Пікірлер: 54

@allenwesterhoff7485 3 ай бұрын

This is AWESOME. Watching this brings back memories of my Dad. He was a Cobbler in Lincoln, NE.

@donnylovelace7482 3 ай бұрын

I’ve sent a few pairs of shoes to Jim over the years to repair. He does great work in addition to being a great guy. I love seeing renewed interest in the cobbler trade. I bought my first nice pair of dress shoes 11 years ago. Spent a little more on them than I normally do, but I still have and wear those shoes. Jim replaced the sole recently for me and I expect to wear them another 10 years. That’s why you pay a little more up front when buying shoes. Will save you in the long run.

@Jonathon10 3 ай бұрын

Made me tear up a little. Good man. Very rewarding work.

@michaelamato6390 3 ай бұрын

Started watching his videos last year and man, if you need something relaxing to watch that is it.

@justinbennett4922 3 ай бұрын

Incredible how much joy shoes and shoe repair bring to so many people! Jim is an inspiration!

@marryellenmonahan5585 3 ай бұрын

❤❤❤😊 The lost art of hand craftsmanship.

@dgerjevic 3 ай бұрын

God Bless you, Jim!!! You're a good man...

@ccbphoto 3 ай бұрын

As a customer I can attest to his craftsmanship and character. The story made my wife cry….

@azizatheone 3 ай бұрын

So proud of you Jimmy and the McFarland family!!!

@chrisbarnes2823 3 ай бұрын

I grew up around Cobblers in England in the 60’s, most of them were born deaf like my father who was a Carpenter. I had an unofficial apprenticeship with them, even now I could walk into a repair shop and do a half decent job I hope. My real job over the years was mechanical engineering, looking at these videos now nothing is forgotten.

@WurdNinja007 3 ай бұрын

We live in a "throw it away and buy a new one" society, which is why our landfills are overrun and sea animals are getting caught in all types of garbage. It's nice to know people like this exist to bring some old things back to life. I just wish they could do the same for ALL types of shoes. I generally take really good care of my shoes and I have some which are really hard to throw away. Some for sentimental reasons and others because they look brand new until you look at the soles. Unfortunately, they don't re-sole tennis shoes and some casual shoes. Keep it up brotha, you are a kind sole..... uh soul.

@user-er3ri6sc3j 3 ай бұрын

Sentimental attachment.

@marryellenmonahan5585 3 ай бұрын

Consumerism society

@user-er3ri6sc3j 3 ай бұрын

@@marryellenmonahan5585 Planned obsolescence.

@arfriedman4577 3 ай бұрын

Theres a sneaker you tube channel that fixes sneakers. I forgot the name.

@donnylovelace7482 3 ай бұрын

I cannot agree more. Since making a decision 10+ years ago to start buying better shoes that can be resoled I have actually spent less on shoes as I just have them repaired when needed instead of throwing them away. Regarding sneakers, there are some that can be resoled, just depends on how it’s made. Allen Edmonds has some sneakers like this for example.

@KathieAlbus 3 ай бұрын

My dad was a shoe cobbler in Madison In all his life!!!

@americascobbler 3 ай бұрын

That’s where my family started repairing SHOES in 1900 was Madison county Indiana and Anderson

@alanm3438 3 ай бұрын

Hello, I am from Wisconsin and I just saw your story on the news. When my Dad came home from the Korean War, he could not find a job. He went in to business fixing shoes but in the 60's it was cheaper to buy new shoes than to fix them so he went to work in a brass foundry. He had the equipment for a while and sold it in the early 80's. My Mom had one leg that was short and he had to make special soles for her shoes. I did not know that there was anyone who still done this kind of work. Thanks for the story and the memory.

@samanthab1923 3 ай бұрын

I love that my local cobbler is still here. ❤

@user-ug6ti3op3x 3 ай бұрын

I can not count how many times I have used a cobbler . It is cheaper to re-soul my broke in work boots than to buy a new pair. Something about keeping it local to the shoe repair family owned shop is more important to me than going to the retail store even though I have a company issued boot allowance .My oldie boots are made for walking , working . they look like crap on the face value but the soul under where we don't see is worth every dollar I spent to have re-souled !

@pbryant1360 3 ай бұрын

My first immigrant paternal grandparent was a shoe maker. When I read this on his ancestral documents, I bluntly said that he had my big feet. Your story is one that touched me. Next time I’m in Florida expect a pair of workboots with destroyed soles from fertilizer. I’d be most honored to learn how to resole them.

@donzender9008 3 ай бұрын

Jim is a National Treasure.

@Amsapharas 3 ай бұрын

I’ve had two pairs of shoes redone by this man and let me say his craftsmanship is the best

@freebir73 3 ай бұрын

I have always tried to save my kids shoes ever since they were little I know the special feeling. ❤❤

@inoiz8395 3 ай бұрын

Im not crying 😢

@cobblersunny8793 3 ай бұрын

My great friend !

@Sigma_In_Exile 3 ай бұрын

Magnificent 🥸

@cathygialloreto6699 3 ай бұрын

My father was a shoemaker in Pittsburgh at one time he taught classes at Pitt

@Jack_Russell_Brown 3 ай бұрын

I'm glad to see that attention is being given to this craft. There are still shoe repair shops in my area. Sadly, from the viewpoint of people in this, it seems fewer people wear shoes that can be renewed in favor of disposable shoes. Smaller businesses like this (cobblers, saw and scissor sharpeners, small appliance repair) can greatly extend the life of an item. Perhaps some people still have a supermarket in their area with a butcher department onsite where knives will be sharpened at no charge while you shop - a butcher department that will cut your order exactly as you want it.

@Mssipequeen 3 ай бұрын

I have seen him on Tick Tock I love watching his videos !

@tomiossi8092 3 ай бұрын

Way to go Kyle.❤

@wendishaver9520 3 ай бұрын

I love this man.

@DC-fk1ks 3 ай бұрын

Good work, cousin!!!

@ricardoniebla 3 ай бұрын

Perhaps, they have just saved the trade when we needed it most,now that the right to repair is on the spot ligh.

@kimmyersful 3 ай бұрын

Great story about a good man.

@twf2nd 3 ай бұрын

That's cool!

@ChaN-ks3ov 3 ай бұрын

Facebook brought me here. Reminds me of Marikina shoes.

@user-er3ri6sc3j 3 ай бұрын

Walk a mile in someone's else's shoes. Medulla near Eaton park.

@nelks1284 3 ай бұрын

What a wonderful feel good story. How blessed this family is to still be working together.

@Calvin_wildfire 3 ай бұрын

That might be good with ice cream

@stevegrimes5105 3 ай бұрын

Where is his youtube channel?

@JamieTodd 3 ай бұрын

youtube.com/@americascobbler?si=CaRTkYqL0RsVhYhs

@knightscheerclub6249 3 ай бұрын

@americascobbler

@philoctetes_wordsworth 3 ай бұрын

The title is an unsuccessful pun. Close, but no. It is clear to see what was intended, but no.

@royrice8021 3 ай бұрын

Souls too?……but no heels! 🤔🤔😳

@americascobbler 3 ай бұрын

We get our share of heels😂

@codyprime2824 3 ай бұрын

😲😲👍🙏🏽😊

@WurdNinja007 3 ай бұрын

The title is redundant. The definition of cobbler is a mender of shoes. So the title is basically "Florida shoe mender of shoes...." was the editor drunk?

@brynwest4495 3 ай бұрын

I think they did that on purpose because not everyone is gonna read the title and know what a cobbler is or what it is about so throw in the word shoe....