SALISBURY — When it came down to it, all Pat Weddington wanted was a hand-stitcher and a polisher to help with repairs he sometimes had to make to shoes he and his wife were selling on eBay.

EUSTIS — Customers felt as comfortable as an old shoe at Robert Dunston’s cluttered shop, where they could always count on a cheerful greeting to go with quality service. The 86-year-old practiced a ...

The cobbler is 54, young in a business that has grown old. His only child, a son, has already told him he won’t be taking over the family business when his father retires. It’s an honorable profession ...

Superior handles serious shoe challenges. It’ll expand tight boots with handmade leather inlays (from $150), insert discreet zippers for a snugger fit (from $75), and refinish light-colored leather ...