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Five Years Performing the Best Kept Secret

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Every day Cassandra Lopez goes to work in St. Joseph attending to one of America's best kept secrets. She is a master craftsman at the art of shoe repair. She apprenticed with Michael Gagliardo at Gagliardo Shoe Repair on Highland Avenue in St. Joseph before he retired and then took over ownership five years ago. Even she can hardly believe that she and her business partner Lisa Hubbs are already at that five year milestone. 

The photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market.com depicts their first anniversary when they celebrated a formal ribbon cutting ceremony, and this past Friday, October 7th marked their fifth anniversary at the helm in the business. 

Her entire industry is considered one of America's best kept secrets according to the Shoe Service Institute of America. That 112-year old organization calls it a secret because, "It saves consumers money by restoring their shoes to like-new condition for a fraction of the cost of new shoes. It keeps tens of millions of shoes out of landfills each year and can help relieve a variety of physical discomforts." Gagliardo Shoe Repair is a member of the Institute. 

Cassandra and Lisa have a business motto that says, "Repair, don't replace!" October is a banner month for shoe repair, and National Shoe Repair Awareness week runs this week from October 10th through the 14th. Gagliardo is reprising their "Repair with Pink" shoe repair campaign throughout the month of October, allowing those who would like to do so to re-sole their shoes in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Both men's and women's shoes can be re-soled or have heels replaced in pink, as they launched last October.

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National Shoe Repair Awareness week was originally created by Congressional proclamation in 1994, and is intended to educate consumers about the economic, environmental and physical benefits of shoe repair, as well as the breadth of services offered by shoe repair shops. 

Gagliardo Shoe Repair not only adds value to shoes, but also to belts, purses and other leather and canvas goods as well. Cassandra reminds you that with the arrival of fall, now is the perfect time to bring in leather items for weather-proofing and protection against the elements of winter weather like snow and ice. 

The shop at 810 Highland Avenue also offers preventative maintenance options and can show you how to extend the life of your favorite shoes and leather goods, using the best quality Italian leather and Vibram products, combining old world techniques with new materials and solutions. 

Both Cassandra and Lisa remind you that well-kept shoes contribute to a positive reflection on your appearance and represent your professionalism, attention to detail, conscientiousness, and confidence. A quality shoe shine and a new set of laces can easily spruce up your favorite pair of shoes. 

Cassandra's purchase of Gagliardo five years ago has kept alive a service that has served several generations in Michigan's Great Southwest. She remodeled the shop and expanded her hours of operation to help better serve her customers, and has carried on the tradition of using only the best Italian leather and Vibram products. 

The shop also carries a made-to-order line of quality men's dress shoes from Tauer & Johnson, as well as a wide variety of foot care and shoe care products to keep your feet and shoes looking and feeling good. 

Gagliardo Shoe Repair is open Monday through Friday from 8am until 6pm at 810 Highland Avenue, across from Dunkin' Donuts and can be reached by phone at 269-983-7010. 

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