Thirty-odd years ago, with a loan from his son's English teacher, Demetrio V. Ramos opened Ramos Shoe Repair on the northern edge of Healdsburg's central Plaza.

Although the town has changed greatly in those years, from hard-edged farm town to favored wine country destination of moneyed Bay Area folks, Ramos Shoe Repair has not—it has moved a block and a half from the Plaza, but it's still providing cobbler service that is as personal as the workmanship is fine.

EXCERPT:
"I'm still getting new customers even now, after thirteen years,” George says, “which is amazing. There are always new people, someone who doesn't know about the shoe repair shop.”

Many are surprised that such a shop exists in Healdsburg. “It is rare, a business like this,” he agrees. “The older folks, when they retire, no one takes their place. It's rare, any kind of trade where you work with your hands. The people from Europe who come in, say, ‘We value you a lot, your profession.'"

It is apparent that one of the reasons Ramos Shoe Repair is still vibrant and alive in its second generation is the easy rapport George establishes with his customers, from the leather-clad, bearded biker needing his boot stitched back together to the well-known gourd artist coming in to restock her supply of a particular shoe polish (in particular colors—“Silver and gold—it's holiday season!” she exclaims when George asks) that she uses for paint.

As yet another customer departs with a pair of lovingly resoled shoes, George turns to me and grins.

“I joke around with people,” he says. “I say, ‘Yes, I'm here to save your sole.'"