What makes a Cobbler
By definition, a Cobbler is someone who repairs shoes and a Master Cobbler, a craftsman of more than 20 years experience.
Generally, by the time a craftsman has been recognised as a Master Cobbler, their experience will have covered everything from tack and saddles to golf shoes and motocross boots, they will have engraved everything from funeral urns to CEO name plaques, champagne glasses for weddings and one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces and cut keys for every kind of lock imaginable.
Today when you visit a Master Cobbler, there is almost nothing he can't make, fix or repair from your favourite pair of handmade Italian leather loafers to great grandad's watchband, the zip in your Mimco handbag or the elastic in your RM Williams boots.
Generally, by the time a craftsman has been recognised as a Master Cobbler, their experience will have covered everything from tack and saddles to golf shoes and motocross boots, they will have engraved everything from funeral urns to CEO name plaques, champagne glasses for weddings and one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces and cut keys for every kind of lock imaginable.
Today when you visit a Master Cobbler, there is almost nothing he can't make, fix or repair from your favourite pair of handmade Italian leather loafers to great grandad's watchband, the zip in your Mimco handbag or the elastic in your RM Williams boots.
GRANT TAYLOR
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Passionate about quality and workmanship, Grant is a master craftsman who takes great pride in his work and enjoys the satisfaction of helping people bring their favourite old shoes back to life.
Originally from Mildura in the northwest of Victoria, Grant began helping out at the local cobbler's shop, "James the Cobbler" in the Mildura Plaza after school, later working fulltime when he finished school. Grant trained under James Blackwood in all aspects of shoe repair and leather work and obtained his RM Williams accreditation.
James the Cobbler sold the business in Mildura and moved to Bendigo at Lancel Plaza. From there he later established Town and Country Cobblers in Geelong some 19 years ago. Meanwhile, Grant had moved to Swan Hill and opened his own store, which he ran for 4 years. He then opened another shop in Ballarat and ran that for 5 years before buying a business in Melbourne's Collins St near Southern Cross station in 2008. Originally trading as ShoeFix, Grant renamed the shop Master Cobbler on Collins and built a reputation as one of Melbourne's premier shoe and boot repairers.
After 6 years in Melbourne Grant made a lifestyle decision and left the hustle and bustle, the cold weather and traffic snarls for the north coast, arriving in Ballina in early 2014 where he opened the River Street Master Cobbler in May 2014.
Now 45, Grant has been repairing shoes for more than 25 years and remains passionate about shoe repairs, lovingly refurbishing or restoring your shoes as if they were his own. Grant is also passionate about fishing and his two young children now also enjoying the north coast lifestyle!
Originally from Mildura in the northwest of Victoria, Grant began helping out at the local cobbler's shop, "James the Cobbler" in the Mildura Plaza after school, later working fulltime when he finished school. Grant trained under James Blackwood in all aspects of shoe repair and leather work and obtained his RM Williams accreditation.
James the Cobbler sold the business in Mildura and moved to Bendigo at Lancel Plaza. From there he later established Town and Country Cobblers in Geelong some 19 years ago. Meanwhile, Grant had moved to Swan Hill and opened his own store, which he ran for 4 years. He then opened another shop in Ballarat and ran that for 5 years before buying a business in Melbourne's Collins St near Southern Cross station in 2008. Originally trading as ShoeFix, Grant renamed the shop Master Cobbler on Collins and built a reputation as one of Melbourne's premier shoe and boot repairers.
After 6 years in Melbourne Grant made a lifestyle decision and left the hustle and bustle, the cold weather and traffic snarls for the north coast, arriving in Ballina in early 2014 where he opened the River Street Master Cobbler in May 2014.
Now 45, Grant has been repairing shoes for more than 25 years and remains passionate about shoe repairs, lovingly refurbishing or restoring your shoes as if they were his own. Grant is also passionate about fishing and his two young children now also enjoying the north coast lifestyle!
