Personal Work

The Cobbler

When I worked for The Montreal Gazette, a Southam Press paper, I was fortunate to be transferred to Southam’s head office in Toronto.

In 1972, Montreal was larger and, in many ways, more cosmopolitan than Toronto. Toronto felt a bit less modern, nevertheless, I enjoyed exploring its streets to uncover the unique gems that defined the city's character.

One such gem was a cobbler shop around the corner from my house. It was a photographer’s treasure trove, tantalizing the senses with its soft-creaking wooden floor and the aromatic scent of leather and shoe wax. The machinery, relics of an earlier time, reflected a craft learned through apprenticeships and perfected over the years.

The shop was much more than a place to get your shoes repaired, as often several elderly gentlemen could be found basking in the sunlight streaming through the large plate-glass window, conversing in Italian.

The Cobbler

When I worked for The Montreal Gazette, a Southam Press paper, I was fortunate to be transferred to Southam’s head office in Toronto.

In 1972, Montreal was larger and, in many ways, more cosmopolitan than Toronto. Toronto felt a bit less modern, nevertheless, I enjoyed exploring its streets to uncover the unique gems that defined the city's character.

One such gem was a cobbler shop around the corner from my house. It was a photographer’s treasure trove, tantalizing the senses with its soft-creaking wooden floor and the aromatic scent of leather and shoe wax. The machinery, relics of an earlier time, reflected a craft learned through apprenticeships and perfected over the years.

The shop was much more than a place to get your shoes repaired, as often several elderly gentlemen could be found basking in the sunlight streaming through the large plate-glass window, conversing in Italian.