Blog: Station Street North Carlton
By Evan Papamichael
Writer Evan
www.writerevan.com.au
I was a: cute, blonde, curly-haired two and a half year old; the youngest of four children. We lived in the inner city suburb of North Carlton, until 1969. My father was a tailor with over twenty years, experience. He made custom fit suits for gentlemen from 1950 until the early 1960s. That was the trend, in those days. As factories mass produced men’s clothes, later on – my father decided on, a career change.
He went to RMIT in Brunswick, and learned how to become, a Shoe Repairer. This was my family’s bread and butter; from, the mid-1960s until 1984. Dad had his own Shoe Repair shop underneath Glen Huntly train station. Glen Huntly was in the middle of the City of Caulfield: as it was known, back then. Today its title is: the City of Glen Eira. Most of our customers at the Shoe Repair shop were professionals and business owners. There were many migrants and school students too.
When I was young: I loved to help out, by serving at the counter. I would ask customers:
“What would you like to be done and how?” They would reply: “Sole and Heels” …OR …”I want the shoes to be painted another colour”… OR … “They are too tight and when my feet swell in the summer heat; I cannot bear the tightness.”…AND… “I need them to be stretched.”
I would either put the shoes, on the stretcher machine - or fill out a ticket with their name and the date - when they would be picked up. It was an exciting experience!
Sometimes my friends, or classmates would pass by; and, have their school shoes, or formal footwear, repaired. Teachers would occasionally visit, too. Because the business was located under a train station: that had trains heading towards, Melbourne’s Central Business District one way; and, to Frankston and the Beach Side suburbs, the other way; the shop was always - bustling with customers.
I thought that it was fascinating; to watch how my father repaired, the shoes! Attention and care was given, to each pair: with due respect. It did not take him long to; remove the old soles and heels; and, place new ones. But there was lots of specific detail involved, which most people were, unaware of. The pieces had to be: measured, cut to size; and, trimmed to, perfection. Then my father had a multi-purpose - green machine that would - scrape, even out; and, polish the shoes, from top to bottom; once they were completed and touched up with polish and paint.
