Tommy Talesnik, owner of Tommy's Shoe Repair, started in the shoe business 40 years ago in his home country of Russia. As a shoemaker's apprentice, Talesnik learned the craft of shoe repair from the ground up.
"We were doing new shoes. If you know how to do new shoes, you know how to fix them," Talesnik explains. "You have to learn something you want to do. It's a special skill."
In 1978, Talesnik immigrated to Milwaukee with his wife. A few years later, they moved to San Diego, but before long, they felt the pull and returned to Milwaukee. "We liked the friendly people. It's a family-oriented city," he said.
Not long after re-settling in 1986, Talesnik opened his shop in the location it occupies today, tucked away in the basement of the Ogden Center building, 8828 N. Port Washington Rd.
It's not the sort of place one is likely to stumble upon accidentally.
"It's all word of mouth," Talesnik says. "It's a waste to put up fliers (and do) advertising. A business like this, people will go to an attic if they need it because this kind of service is not on every corner. Specific customer, specific business."
Though the store has been in the same location since 1986, Talesnik hasn't been at the helm the entire time.
"After I opened this shop, after five years I sold it and went to another business for 14 years," Telesnik says. "I cannot sit in one place. I look all the time for something to do. I had a limousine service and then the food (delivery) service, and then I saw the opportunity to buy my shop back."
Telesnik's been back in charge for the last three years. "I'm (the) original founder and original Tommy. And I'm back and I'm here to serve."
When the shop first opened, the shoe repair business was a lot more competitive than it is now. Talesnik chose the location because it of its distance from his competitors in Shorewood, Bayshore, Mequon. Most have since closed.
"Twenty-some years ago, there was some interest in (being a cobbler)," Telesnik explains. "But now you can't even sell a place like this because nobody wants it. It's a dying art."
In his estimation, Talesnik has persevered mainly because he charges reasonable prices, does quality work, treats his customers well, and offers other services in addition to shoe repair. While he was away from the business, the person who took over repaired only shoes, so many customers started seeking out other shops to do non-shoe repairs.
Talesnik can fix luggage, purses and zippers, and makes keys. In his waiting area, he has a wide selection of products on display for sale. It's mostly shoe-related supplies such as laces, polish and insoles, but there are also purses, belts and other miscellaneous items.
Telesnik thinks that this range of services makes his shop unique.
Most of the customers who went away while Telesnik was away have returned. "They find out I'm back and everyone's so happy. And I get tons of new customers. It's pretty cool."
