Our Story
A craft built on generations and a commitment that still stands today
Shoe Sheriff isn’t just a repair shop.
It’s a story that goes back more than 70 years to a time when repairing, not replacing, was simply how things were done.
It started with Peter’s father, who began working in a slipper factory straight out of school.
From there, he moved into shoe repairs, eventually taking over a small business and building his skills the hard way by doing, learning, and solving problems every day.
When he moved to Auckland in the early 1950s, he wasn’t planning to return to shoe repairs. But people had other ideas.
Word got around. Shoes started arriving.
And before long, he was repairing them at night working from the basement of the home he was boarding in.
That was the beginning of what would become Shoe Sheriff.
Growing Up in the Trade
Peter didn’t plan to follow in his father’s footsteps.
Like many second-generation tradespeople, he tried other paths first training as a joiner and cabinet maker. But eventually, the pull of the business (and a bit of encouragement from his dad) brought him back.
What followed wasn’t easy.
There were long hours, tough decisions, and a period where Peter found himself running the business alone putting in 100-hour weeks to keep everything going.
But that’s also where something important happened.
He didn’t just learn the trade. He made it his own.
A Different Way of Thinking
Peter describes himself as a problem solver and that’s exactly what this work requires.
Every job is different. Every pair of shoes has its own story.
“Everything that comes in is a bit different… you’ve just got to be very flexible.”
That mindset practical, creative, hands-on is what sets Shoe Sheriff apart. It’s not about doing the same thing over and over.
It’s about working out how to make something last again.
From Broadway to Today
For many years, Shoe Sheriff was part of the fabric of Newmarket’s Broadway a familiar place for generations of customers.
But like many long-standing businesses, change came.
Rising costs forced a move not an easy decision after decades in one location. But the new premises, close to the train station, reflect something important:
Still accessible. Still relevant. Still needed.
And with more people turning back to repairing rather than replacing, the timing couldn’t be better.
Why It Still Matters
In a world of fast fashion and throwaway products, Shoe Sheriff stands for something different.
Quality
Keeping quality shoes going longer
Savings
Helping people save money
Sustainable
Reducing waste
Craft
Preserving craftsmanship
“If you get a nice pair of shoes you really like just keep them going.”
It’s simple. Practical. And more relevant than ever.
Don’t Throw Them Out Bring Them In
Before you replace your shoes, talk to us. You might be surprised what can be saved.
Shoe Sheriff
Hours
Mon - Fri : 7:30am - 6:00pm
Saturday : 10:00am - 1:00pm
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