Pioneer Times Photo/Gloria Austin
PROUD TRADITION — Ben, left, and Brian Cole are continuing the proud family tradition of operating Cole’s Shoe Store and Shoe Service in downtown Houlton. Ben is Brian’s nephew and son of former Cole’s Shoe Service repairman Jimmy Cole, who retired from the family business. The store is celebrating 50 years in the Shiretown.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
HOULTON — They are the only shoe repair shop north of Bangor.
Coles Shoe Store and Shoe Service has a storied history in the Shiretown, with its roots beginning in 1938.
Charles T. Cole opened a storefront in Houlton after being in the shoe repair and harness-making business for 50 years in Washburn, Patten, Millinocket and several other towns. He sold his local business to Ora Smart and moved his trade to Presque Isle.
Cole’s son, Melburn, who was employed by Cy Ewings, continued his family’s legacy making handmade shoes, joining Smart as an employee, and then purchasing the business in 1939. Melburn’s father, Charles, came back to Houlton to join his son after his Presque Isle location was destroyed by fire. At that time, Melburn was 19 years old.
Originally, Coles Shoe and Harness Shop was located under the Union Square Hotel. It then was moved to the former A&P Building until it was torn down. It then moved to Military Street at the end of Kendall Street for two years. Following their brief stay, the shop’s home was made at 12 Kendall Street where they are located today.
“People come in and ask how have you been here for 75 years,” said Brian Cole, who joined in 1972 as a third-generation owner. “I always say it is because of you. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here. People coming in and buying something, spending their money is what keeps our little store going. It isn’t us. It is the people and we love the people.”
Cole’s brother, James, went into partnership with his father on Jan. 1, 1967 and has just recently retired. Jim’s son, Ben, a fourth-generation Cole, came on board two years ago with plans to continue the family’s legacy.
“I came on to get my Dad out of here,” he said laughing. His Uncle chimed in, “To give me a break.”
Ben did join the company so his father could retire, but it goes deeper than that.
“My grandfather started the business and I would hate to just see it disappear,” he said. “There is a lot of history here. If I hadn’t joined, these guys would have got done and closed the doors.”
Ben worked nights and weekends side-by-side with his father through high school and college, so he is adept at the repair trade.
“It was a lot of watching and learning,” he said. “Eventually, it just comes to you after awhile. You spend seven or eight years in there [repairing shoes] days after school Monday through Friday and all day Saturday, you will learn.”
Brian, who has been an onsite partner for 42 years, has seen many changes through the years, including a name change to Coles Shoe Store and Shoe Service, Inc.
Pioneer Times Photo/Gloria Austin
ALWAYS A NEED — A rack of shoes are ready for fixing in the back room of Coles Shoe Store and Shoe Repair in Houlton.
“When Dad started in it was just a shoe repair shop and we fixed harnesses and then we added shoes in 1968,” said Brian.
When the Cole brothers started shining shoes on the shine stand, it cost 12 cents. Now a shine cost between $5-$7 depending on the shape of what is brought in. Back then, a can of polish was 19 cents and a can of polish today is $5.
The store has become computerized and has transitioned from old-fashioned bookkeeping to computers.
“When we first started in, we did not have a phone, so if we wanted to order something we had to go to the pay phone outside, call and place the order,” recalled Brian. “Or, we wrote the order on a sheet of paper and sent it to the company. We then graduated to having our own phone to place orders. Now, a lot of our products are ordered online.”
Coles Shoe Store and Shoe Service has adapted over the years, taking on more orthopedic and prescription work.
“We do all shoe repair,” said Ben. “But, it is nothing like it used to be. Most everything today, people throw away. So now we do more support corrections and build-ups.”
“We like a challenge,” said Brian, holding a mitten that was repaired by covering a hole with a leather patch on the pad.
“Ben still puts on new soles and heels on boots,” added Brian.
Coles Shoe Store and Shoe Service still fix things from harnesses to shoes, from buttons to straps on purses.
“We are the same business, as my grandfather started,” said Brian. “We do the old-fashioned repair like we always have.”
Coles Shoe Store and Shoe Service will have its new line for the summer in soon.
“We order six months in advance of the season when we need to have our products,” said Brian. “I am going in February to buy my fall and winter product.”
Coles Shoe Store and Shoe Service carries an assortment of shoe brands, ranging from Redwing, Clarks, Bogs and Carolina to Merrill.
“Dad always said, don’t put all your eggs into one basket because if you fall and break all those eggs, you will not have any to work with,” said Brian. “So, we buy a lot of different things.”
With a rich history, Ben is hoping the trade doesn’t die out, but hopes it will continue.
“It is all on my shoulders pretty soon,” he said smiling.
“I am not going to walk out the door unless Ben tells me he doesn’t want me here anymore,” said Brian with a smile.
