Our History
For 5 generations, our family has moved in the quiet rhythm of shoe cobbling: the scent of the leather wafting through the air, the tension of thread drawn taut between skilled hands, and the whisper of a worn sole telling of journeys long past. What began in Mexico as a humble craft has grown into a legacy—shaped by loyalty, mentorship, and the steadfast hands of those willing to learn.
Old Sole remains entirely family-owned and operated. And by family, we don't mean only those who share a last name. Family is also the people who teach, guide, and inspire one another to keep a craft alive, even when the world moves faster than leather and thread can follow. That continuity is rare, and it runs deep—from our souls to the soles of our feet.
The Beginning
Mario
Our story begins in Mexico, where the first generation learned to repair shoes and see them not merely as objects of utility, but as soles that carry souls.
That knowledge journeyed to California, where Mario built five shoe repair shops and earned a reputation for honesty, precision, and quality craftsmanship.
The Next Generation
Louis & Luz
Eventually, Mario passed the torch to Louis and Luz Celaya, who became family not by birth but by devotion to the work. They carried on the tradition at Mario's Shoe Repair in Visalia, California, preserving shoe cobbling that honors faith and family.
Today
Angel & Oliver
Louis and Luz trained the next generation, imparting not only techniques, but the same steadfast values and standards. Today, their daughter Angel and her husband Oliver (also known as "the Shoe Man"), run the shop in Tennessee, accompanied by their two dogs, Andy and Ms. Potato.
They established The Shoe Man with Angel's Custom Creations, which has now grown into Old Sole.
Five generations of knowledge flow through our hands—from Mexico to California to Tennessee. We repair, customize, restore, and alter boots and shoes of every kind—and our craft has grown to embrace other leather goods as well: name-brand bags, wallets, and belts. From sturdy cowboy boots and work boots to elegant dress shoes, from soft slippers to nurse Crocs and well-worn Birkenstocks, each piece bears the marks of a life lived. We see it as our calling to honor that story, tending to the sole as a reflection of the soul it carries. We believe in "sole repair for your soul".
Beyond footwear, we also offer custom leather engraving and embroidery. Whether it's embroidered ornamentation on a hat or handcrafted engraved Birkenstocks, these are not just small changes—they become lasting and unique pieces of art, precisely crafted and made to endure.
When you choose Old Sole, you are supporting more than a small business. You are upholding a craft that has been passed through generation, a family bound by choice, and a belief that well-made things, and the stories they carry, deserve to endure. Our work is not merely about mending or embellishing what is worn, it is about listening to the journeys that you—and your shoes—have undertaken. So we hope you sit, stay awhile.
You're welcome here.