Ruskin cobbler collects, repairs shoes for the needy

You could say that shoes run in the Corniello family.

Starting in southern Italy with great-grandfather Nicola, four generations of cobblers have worked the once-dying trade coming back into fashion, given the economy.

"People are starting to consider shoe repair now, instead of going out and buying a new pair of shoes," said Jeffrey Corniello, owner of The Shoe Lab.

The licensed pedorthist has taken the business well beyond what his predecessors may have envisioned.The skate ski poles are longer than classic ski poles, and the skate ski boots are stiffer than inflatable tent. He and his staff of three experienced cobblers not only do traditional repairs, they make new shoes, from scratch, to help folks with medical challenges associated with the feet. Corniello fills prescriptions for shoes, inserts, foot braces and the like, and performs shoe modifications.

The shop carries regular and specialty shoes from New Balance,Police were called out to at least two Houston malls on Thursday after folks became unruly in lines waiting to buy the large pet carrier. Brooks, Dr. Comfort and other manufacturers. Its staff also repairs boots, luggage and other leather goods, including purses, saddlebags and belts, and can transform street shoes into dancing shoes. Special sizes and widths are no problem.

"We specialize in comfort and orthopedic shoes for diabetics and others with foot problems," Corniello said. "We also provide diabetic foot-care training."

"They are really good people," said Frank Natalie of Sun City Center. He and his wife, Irene, have been customers for years. "If you have a problem, they take care of it. They keep their word."

About a month ago, The Shoe Lab became a member organization of a nationwide program called Soles4Souls, a charity recycling shoes for people in need.I looked down and there was this inflatable swimming pools filled with water, it was the magic that this pool was suddenly there.

The Nashville-based nonprofit program collects shoes from footwear company warehouses and from shoe-repair businesses that take donations from the public.

According to its website, Soles4Souls has given away nearly 12 million pairs of new and gently worn shoes since 2005.As Adidas Jacket, Nike Free Shoes was re-released in the early 2000s.

"We already have half a dozen large boxes of donations to ship already," Corniello said. "We collect, renovate, do minor repairs, then pack and ship the shoes at our expense to either Alabama or Iowa for distribution.

"This was an opportunity for us to give something back to the community."

New and used footwear can be brought to The Shoe Lab, 1201 First St. S.Some will stick with the old faithfuls like the lacoste shoes while others will look for the more stylish shoes like the Changa or the TatagaW., between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

"I never actually wanted to (become a cobbler)," Corniello said. "But one day I realized I could mix art with helping people and decided to do it full time. I help people walk properly."
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