Richardson | July 2023

BUSINESS FEATURE

Owner Nick Nikolopoulos said hard work has kept him in business for more than 40 years. (Photos by Dustin Butler/Community Impact)

In addition to repairing boots, Coit Boot and Shoe Repair also xes purses and other leather items.

Coit Boot and Shoe Repair Quality service supports Richardson area business for 40-plus years Q uality work, fast service and friendly pricing have kept Coit Boot and Shoe Repair open for 43 years, according to word, then I knew what they needed.” A third-generation cobbler, Nikolopoulos pays homage to this heritage by displaying the tools and chair his grandfather used in his own shop in Greece. BY DUSTIN BUTLER

SHOE LONGEVITY With more than 40 years of experience, Nick Nikolopolous has gathered a few tips and tricks on how to extend the life of a shoe.

Use shoe polish: Aside from improving the shoe’s look, it will help condition the leather and extend its longevity. Use a shoe tree: A foot-shaped gadget that ts inside the shoe, a shoe tree helps the shoe retain its shape when it is not being used. Use a shoe pad: A shoe pad will help protect a shoe’s sole from wear and tear.

owner Nick Nikolopoulos. Nikolopoulos opened the shop in 1980, shortly after moving to America from Greece. “If you do something, you have to do it right the rst time,” he said. “If you have to redo it, you’ll lose money, then the customer.” Before emigrating, the store owner spent a year serving in the Greek army, something all Greek men are required to do. His service in the military was unpaid, so he made money by polishing and repair- ing boots of the American soldiers on the base. In 1979, he moved to Dallas to “try and make it in America.” After working for Nocona Boot Factory, which eventually merged with the then-parent company Justin Boots, for a year, Nikolopoulos decided to open his own shop. At the time, he didn’t speak English, but he was still able to communicate with his customers by being attuned to their needs as well as the ins and outs of the trade. “As soon as they showed me, I knew exactly what they needed,” Nikolopoulos said. “If I caught one

His reputation landed him several A-list clients during the 1980s. He repaired and cleaned boots, shoes and other items for the cast of the hit show “Dallas,” a gig he earned after star Patrick Duy stopped by his shop for a shoeshine. Nikolopoulos also did work for the Dallas Cowboys, making repairs to the cheerleaders’ uniforms and dyeing the shoes several team members received in endorsement deals to match the team’s jerseys. In addition to repairing boots and shoes, Nikol- opoulos also repairs purses and other leather items, but he said boots are his favorite to work on because that is how he learned his trade. The biggest issue facing the entire industry, Nikolopoulos said, is that he can’t nd young people interested in learning the trade and carrying on the multigenerational tradition. “Back in the ’80s, I would have kids from Pearce High School ... [come] here and work a half day to learn,” he said. “Now, they want to work, but they want to work at the cash register.”

Coit Boot and Shoe Repair 20 Spring Creek Village Road, Dallas 972-458-8110

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Sun. closed

SPRING CREEK VILLAGE RD.

BELT LINE RD.

IN THE BUSINESS OF MAKING A HOUSE A HOME

CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE TODAY!

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED FULL SERVICE CONSTRUCTION & REMODELING

MENAREMODELING.COM • 817-494-3060

RICHARDSON EDITION • AUGUST 2023