Tag Archives: shoe repair

Back-to-school checklist for shoe repair shops 

This time of year means kids of all ages are heading back to school—and along with them, lots of gear and supplies that may need fixing and polishing. 

We’ve put together a list of common shoe repair and shoe care needs that come up during the back-to-school season.

Review our handy checklist and your shop will be ready for anything your customers ask for this fall:  

Fix a broken backpack

Backpacks are the essential back-to-school supply. Every student needs one and possibly has a favorite with a broken zipper or ripped leather that they can’t bear to part with. Stock up on zippers, sliders, snaps, leather skins, leather strapping, awls, needles and other findings to help them hang onto to their prized possession. 

Clean up my (sneaker) act

Athletic shoes can get dirty and dingy over the summer. Make sure your customers are heading back to school in style by stocking an athletic shoe shampoo (like this one from Ralyn) as well as Sneaker Rescue shoe wipes to keep sneakers looking good on-the-go. 

Waterproof shoes for class-hopping

Students have to venture out in all types of weather during the school year. Make sure you are stocked with a weatherproofing spray, such as Ralyn Aquatec or Moneysworth & Best Campmate Pro-Tex.

Resole a favorite pair of shoes

Kids and adults alike tend to become attached to a favorite pair of shoes. Help your customer get more wear out of their favorite pair with new soles. We recommend Soletech and SVIG full or half soles, which are available in a variety of textures. 

Eliminate the sneaker stink

When gym class is back in session, shoes are bound to get stinky. Help your customers destroy foot odor with the innovative new Ralyn DeoSole shoe deodorizing patch. Or for everyday freshening, the Ralyn Shoe Deodorizer spray. 

Make athletic activities more comfy

Daily sports practices can wreak havoc on a pair of shoes and make them uncomfortable. Stock up on a variety of sports-inspired insoles and orthotics to suggest to your customers, such as the Sneaker Magic Step, Viva Sport and Viva Sneaker by Pedag, as well Powerstep’s Pinnacle Junior, which is made just for kids.

Polish up interviewing skills—and shoes 

Help recent grads make a good impression in their first interview or job by shining up their shoes. Make sure you have all the shoe shine accessories you need, such as shoe polish, shine brushes, shine cloths and fully-stocked shine boxes. And don’t forget to send them home with a DIY solution like the Ralyn Leather Shine Sponge or Angelus Instant Shine.

With a little help from you, your customers will be ready to shine this school year!

Join our email list or follow us on Facebook to hear about new products or specials first.

Winter Shoe Care Meet & Greets are scheduled

Is your shoe store or shoe repair shop ready for winter weather?

Stop by our Chicago warehouse for one of our upcoming Meet and Greets on Sunday, November 18 and Sunday, December 16, where you can meet our staff, learn more about our shoe repair and shoe care products and shop for those all-important weather protection products.

We have a large selection of everything you need for winter weather: shoe and boot protector sprays (such as Ralyn Aquatec and Tarrago Nano Protector), silicones and desalters (we carry Ralyn and Angelus brands), cleaners and shampoos. We also have a large selection of Tingley Overshoes.

We carry all of your other shoe repair and care needs, such as leather and rubber soles, shoe creams and dyes, dowels, abrasives, brushes (including personalized options), shoe laces, needles and thread. Plus the largest selection of shoe polish in the Midwest!

We will also be doing demos of Shoe Systems Plus Supreme Machines Shoe Repair & O&P Lab equipment in our showroom.

Bring your shopping list and stock your shelves before the snow and salt hits the ground!

RSVP for our November 18th or December 16th Meet and Greets on our Facebook page. Please note the dates are a bit earlier than usual due to holidays.

Email or call us with any questions or special requests before you stop by.

See you there!

See us at the Chicago Shoe Market on August 22 & 23

Justin Blair at Chicago Shoe Market 2018

Stop by and see us at the Chicago Shoe Market in Chicago on Wednesday and Thursday, August 22–23.

We will have samples of the latest shoe care products from Ralyn, therapeutic, massage, and pain relief products from Orthosleeve, Pedifix and Biofreeze, as well as a new addition to our line: German handmade insoles from Pedag USA. We will also have samples of our Apex footwear collection and related shoe accessories.

Dan Beal will be in Room 310, ready to answer all of your questions and help with product selection and ordering.

Most orders ship within 48 hours from our Chicago warehouse. Don’t miss our 10% OFF Day of Show Special!

Justin Blair Territory Manager Dan BealChicago Shoe Market
August 22-23, 2018

Room 310

Embassy Suites Chicago-Downtown
600 N State Street
Chicago, IL 60654

Show Hours:
Wednesday, Aug. 22: 9 am – 6 pm
Thursday, Aug. 23: 9 am – 4 pm

All orders placed at the show receive a 10% discount

Join our email list or follow us on Facebook and Twitter to hear about events first.

Meet your new shoe repair supplier in Chicago!

Justin Blair Shoe Repair Aisles

Midwest shoe repair shops and shoe stores: Looking for a one-stop-shop supplier? Stop by our grand opening & open house on Sunday, March 25th and meet us!

Our staff, including industry veterans Justin Bennett and Mark Sheehan, will be on hand to answer product questions and help you shop thousands of professional-quality products.

Justin Blair & Company is proud to serve the Chicago and Midwest shoe repair and shoe care market with products from national brands, including our in-house manufactured brand, Ralyn Shoe Care (most products are made in the USA).

We carry all of these essential shoe care and shoe repair supplies:

  • Abrasives
  • Adhesives
  • Brushes
  • Cleaners
  • Crepe
  • Dowels
  • Dyes
  • Foot Care
  • Laces
  • Leather
  • Machinery
  • Needles
  • Polish – we have the largest selection in the Midwest!
  • Rubber
  • Thread
  • Tools
  • Zippers

Shoe Systems Plus, Inc. will be on hand with a machine show to demonstrate their latest shoe repair equipment. Plus day-of-event orders will receive 10% OFF (cash/credit card only). And don’t miss our raffle for two Amazon Echo Dots and one 32” HD TV!

Justin Blair & Company Grand Opening & Open House
Sunday, March 25, 2018
8 am – 3 pm
3028 S. Kilbourn Ave., Chicago, IL 60623
Get directions

Questions? Call us at (800) 566-0664 and ask for Mark.

RSVP for the event here or just stop by.

We welcome you to experience a new type of shoe repair supplier!