Nancy. The shoemaker who gives baskets a second life
The bet was daring. But initially it works. “At the moment, there is a week of delay”. A former recruiting executive, the 30-something after the Covid crisis decided to change his life. “I no longer find my account there. Entrepreneurship was itchy. And I wanted to work with my hands”. Yes, but why shoemaking, precisely, a sector on the verge of extinction in this era of hyperconsumption? “The idea came to me from sneakers… Few people repair them, yet today they have taken precedence over other shoes, just look around. A training in Romans-sur-Isère later, and Stephen Ustic set up the Chausse Pieds brand in the Rives de Meurthe district. 60 bis, avenue du XXe corps, on paper, in fact, promenade Emilie du Châtelet (close to the Leclerc store and the tram stop). He invested €40,000 in the machines and the pretty decor of his workshop – brick wall, industrial-style glass partition, designer lighting (creations by a Seichamps craftsman), elegant wooden furniture. “I try to bring a touch of modernity to the profession”.
Sneaker pressing
In addition to the traditional repair of shoes, it offers various services such as the reproduction of keys, the manufacture of made-to-measure belts, distributes some products from local craftsmen (small leather goods, baby shoes, candles, etc.), refurbishes bags and leather. But it also and above all offers a “sneaker pressing” service, understanding that it gives a second life to sneakers.
He cleans them, pampers them, customizes them on occasion, fills the holes, takes over the buttresses and therefore resoles them. Alike. Not bad when you know the price of baskets today… In her workshop, two pairs of Balenciaga at 800 € are waiting to be pampered. “Even cheaper, it is more interesting to repair them than to buy them again. Take Stan Smiths, they are displayed at 110 €. Me, I’m going to resole them for 40 maxi”. In short, it’s trendy, sober, eco-responsible.