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A Tulsa shoe shop since 1928
The oldest shoe repair shop in the city, still doing the work by hand, for walk-in customers and for pairs mailed in from across the US and Canada.
The story so far
The shop has been mending Tulsa’s footwear since 1928. For more than three decades it was owned by Otis C. and Ida Kemp, who built its reputation well beyond Oklahoma. Mr. Kemp taught shoe repair and made cowboy boots himself. The Kemps retired in August 2004, and the shop carries their standards forward.
Until May 2013 the shop was downtown at 4 West 4th Street. After repeated flooding there it moved to its current home on South Mingo Road, less than 12 miles away.
Today its cobblers average well over 30 years of experience. The shop specialises in good footwear worth keeping: cowboy and western boots, men’s and women’s shoes, work boots and gear for police and first responders.
The counter hours are short for a reason: the team works in the back shop every day of the week to keep up with orders. Few rush jobs are possible. When your pair is ready, the shop sends you a text.
Shop to supply The current owner’s name, a short introduction and photos of the shop and its cobblers belong here.
Nearly a century, year by year1928, the Kemp years, the move from 4th Street: read the shop’s full story
- 1928the year the shop opened
- 30+ yearsaverage experience at the bench
Every pair is checked first
When a pair is taken in, the shop goes through a 20-point checklist before any work begins, and calls you if it finds something else worth fixing.
Uppers
Quarters, foxing, vamp, backstay, eyelet stays, tongue, saddle, linings, heel pads, stitching, insole, ornaments, tassels and laces.
Lowers
Welt, shank, heel base, top lift, outsole and sole stitching.
Trade and community
Tulsa Shoe Rebuilders is a member of the Shoe Service Institute of America (SSIA).
The shop also supports people in need. It often repairs footwear free or at a deep discount when a charity or someone doing charitable work it knows asks for help. If you know of a need, get in touch by phone, e-mail or in person.
The shop’s long-standing promise is “satisfaction guaranteed since 1928”. Written terms of the guarantee: Shop to confirm
Visit or contact the shop
Address
Tulsa Shoe Rebuilders5455-C South Mingo Road
Tulsa, OK 74146
The shop is in the Commerce Plaza Shopping Center, on the northeast corner of South Mingo Road and East 55th Place, on the way to Woodland Hills Mall.
From downtown: take the BA Expressway to the Mingo exit, then go south to 55th Place.
Counter hours
| Tuesday – Thursday | 10:00 am – 3:45 pm |
|---|---|
| Monday & Friday | By appointment only |
Walk-ins are welcome during counter hours. Holiday and emergency closings are posted on the shop’s Google listing.
Contact
- Local: 918.584.6062
- Toll-free: 877.313.0675
- E-mail: mailorder@tulsashoerebuilders.com
- Facebook page
Prices are not quoted by phone: the pair has to be seen first. Payment: Visa, MasterCard, Discover, PayPal, Check, Cash (in the shop).
Can’t get to Tulsa?
Mail your pair in. The shop takes orders from across the US and Canada.