Recrafting Mastery - After doing some research online, I found that Alpine Shoe Service is generally regarded as the best in Calgary. I had a pair of Allen Edmonds Hale oxfords that needed new soles and heels. I dropped by over lunch and met with the owner who was very friendly. I was asked to return in a week to pick up the shoes.
I swung by over lunch the following week and met with the owner's wife who was also very friendly and nice to talk with. She was kind enough to provide me with new laces for my shoes. I immediately noticed the amazing craftsmanship that went into recrafting my oxfords. The heels were burnished to perfection and the new soles were immaculate. I have never seen a stitch channel so narrow and precise. The stitching line around the perimeter was as perfect as I have ever seen on any shoe. The cork was also fully replaced and added a world of comfort when I tried them on.
I have since dropped off another pair of shoes: my Allen Edmonds Park Avenues for the same treatment. I have six pairs of Allen Edmonds oxfords and I walk everywhere so they do need to be recrafted fairly frequently. I had previously shipped all of my shoes back to Allen Edmonds for recrafting because I didn't know there was a place locally that could do this type of work with a high level of quality.
I am very thankful to have found a master in Calgary who can recraft shoes better than the factory!