This shoe repair shop in Bruges has been mending shoes and leather goods since 1956 and has seen plenty of fashions come and go in those seventy years. The workshop combines classic and modern repair techniques.
What stands out is that brand or price makes no difference here. Schoenmakerij René is a certified repairer for Van Bommel and Ambiorix and keeps the right materials for those shoes in stock, yet a simple pair gets the same care and precision as an expensive one. The idea behind it is easy to follow: if a pair fits well, most people would rather have a new sole or heel put on than start breaking in new shoes all over again. Schoenmakerij René is a Bruges shoemaker that has treated shoes, bags and keys of every brand with the same care since 1956.
For shoes, the work runs from soles and heels to comfort adjustments. Shoes that pinch are stretched on the last, and for pairs that are too roomy there are fabric and leather insoles, insoles for sneakers and supports for the heel, toes and arch. For handbags and leather goods, repairs range from a small tear to a complete new lining. The team fixes clasps, reattaches decorations, fits new zips and press studs and shortens belts to size. Anything that needs stitching and is not on that list can usually be sorted out as well. For care, the shop sells products from Famaco, Saphir and Woly and explains how to use them. There is also a full key cutting service: standard keys, car, bike and cabinet keys, certified keys and copies of antique keys, including those for vintage cars and mopeds. Locks are sold and fitted too. Engraving is part of the offer as well, on metal, glass, wood, leather, fabric or acrylic, from a dog tag or name badge to a series. Extra services include sharpening scissors and knives, copying number plates and bronzing or silver-plating baby shoes.
Looking for a shoe repair shop in Bruges that can also take care of your handbag, your bike key and an engraved gift? Then one visit to Sint-Jakobsstraat covers a lot. The shop sits in the historic centre, easy to combine with other errands in town. Bring in the shoes or the bag you would rather not give up on, and ask for advice on care so they last longer.
