Where to fix my bag in NC?

September 22, 2008 5:39 PM

Where can I find a place that does leather repair in the NC Triangle area?

I have a Hobo International handbag that I dearly love that needs the zipper repaired, and some cleaning/mending/conditioning. I have done some cleaning myself, but I am not satisfied with the results, so I would prefer a professional who could do that and fix the zipper. A few things:
1) My bag is older than a year old, so I cannot take advantage of the company's guarantee.
2) Also, Hobo does not do any repairs outside of the guarantee.
3) I called Nordstrom (where I purchased it) and they want to send it out for a fee. I would rather have a face-to-face transaction.
4) I called the Wilson's leather store, and they know nothing.
5) Florenza leather goods (in Chapel Hill), my best option, is closed for business.

I'm in Carrboro. So the closer, the better.
Thanks.

posted by greta simone to shopping (9 comments total)

Shameless whoring since I work for the company, but Sharon Luggage does leather repairs. They don't do it in store, but at most it'll be shipped to Charlotte for a small vacation (never seen a repair that didn't need to be shipped to the manufacturer take longer than 2 weeks, but ymmv). There are two stores in Raleigh.

Since it's outside of warranty, it'll cost, but if you call them at 1-800-267-3142 (the repair department) or the stores in Raleigh, they can give you a guesstimate.
posted by aristan at 5:52 PM on September 22

And one more option for you since you did say you wanted to stay as close to Carrboro as possible, that might require a little bit of work. Tandy Leather is a leather hobbyist/supply store. Yep, Tandy as in the computers. They're the parent company of Radio Shack. You can buy all kinds of leather crafting supplies there, even whole cow hides. Cool place, my dad makes wallets & things and I spent many hours in the Charlotte store as a kid.

Give their Raleigh store a call & ask who they can recommend locally. They see these people every time they need more dye, more leather, etc... so they probably know who's good & who isn't.

Tandy Leather #148 RALEIGH
Toll Free: 888-812-0010
Manager: Aubrin Rhem
posted by aristan at 6:13 PM on September 22

There's a place at the flea market at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh that does quality leatherwork and repair on the cheap. They have to split for the NC State fair though, so next weekend is gonna be their last weekend for a while.
posted by solipsophistocracy at 7:03 PM on September 22

Probably worth calling Man Mur Shoes on Hillsborough Street, too; they have a large repair shop in the back and are super nice people to boot:

2704 Hillsborough St
Raleigh, NC 27607
[phone]

If they can't do the repair you need, they'll almost certainly be able to recommend someone local who can.
posted by mediareport at 8:02 PM on September 22

These guys do an awesome job with shoe repair. Maybe call them to see if they can do leather bag repair too - most cobblers also work on small leather goods like bags and belts.
posted by barnone at 11:22 PM on September 22

And in Raleigh, there's a good shoe & luggage repair place that I've used before. They'd definitely do a leather purse, but call them first to check on the wait time.
posted by barnone at 11:24 PM on September 22

barnone, none of your links work. You might want to actually name the places you're linking, because your comments don't seem to be doing what you think they're doing.
posted by mediareport at 6:27 PM on September 23

Jeez, sorry! I came as soon as you told me!

Great cobbler in Durham:
1-2 Shoe Renew
4201 University Dr
Durham, NC 27707
[phone]

North Hills Shoe and Luggage Repair
6142 Falls of Neuse Rd
Raleigh, NC 27609
[phone]
posted by barnone at 6:42 PM on September 23

Thanks everyone. I'll look into these.
posted by greta simone at 11:54 AM on September 24