Newcastle

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Obviously this is for Newcastle, Australia, since it is part of Aussie Zone. We also welcome input from adjoining Lake Macquarie. Keep it clean and don't be mean.

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After 90 years this family-owned shop has closed its doors. The owner says online shopping has taken its toll (www.abc.net.au)

submitted 5 months ago by Gorgritch_umie_killa@aussie.zone to c/newcastle@aussie.zone

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Its interesting that they never decided to move the business into the shopping centres, to try and follow the crowd. Store front rents in those places probably would have killed them.

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[–] BearOfaTime@lemm.ee 1 points 5 months ago (1 children)

Shoe making?

Yea, tough business that frankly was killed by the early 1970's.

Not to criticise (I don't know what they tried to do) but for decades I've wondered how any cobbler stayed in business.

I get my boots fixed about once every five years - that's not much business.

Seems since the 70's (and then with the advent of Amazon in the late 90's), looking for a new niche for custom shoes would've been the only way to continue.

Perhaps a combination of on-line ordering for a seriously custom experience (high end, super niche, but you'd need to have built up to having name recognition) and local service that's in a unique situation with so e kind of boutique experience.

Just random thoughts, wish they could've made some kind of transition like that.

[–] Gorgritch_umie_killa@aussie.zone 0 points 5 months ago

Australian niche custom shoe businesses must have an international cache. Like RM Williams, Ugg, both have names overseas, plus the 'rugged' image of australia. Must be a business Aussie custom shoe makers could make work.