Goodbye, Mr. Lee

How will the residents in the flatlanders village area of Laguna Beach do without Mr. Lee, the owner of the Laguna Shoe Repair for the past 20 years? Mr. Lee is retiring Dec. 31.

Mr. Lee can fix anything, not just shoes. You could walk into his shop at the Hobbit Shops Mall on the corner of Glenneyre and Calliope Streets and see old vacuum cleaners, malt mixers, espresso machines, lawn mowers, and any other appliance with a small motor. He can also fix suitcases and floor lamps. Upon entering his shop, one can always smell the sweet smell of leather for repairing the shoes that have been entrusted to him to repair, and he did!

I had a 50-year-old backpack I didn’t want to part with, that had multiple tears in the side and needed newzippers. Mr. Lee advised me that to repair my beloved backpack was “no problem” and for me to return in three days to pick up the repaired backpack. I did, and it was fixed and ready to go back to the Sierras. Great job, Mr. Lee!

Mr. Lee had an antique Singer sewing machine and a lot of old stuff in his shop to do whatever repairs were requested of him. It was like going into a shoe and repair shop in the 1950s. His prices have been very reasonable and the turnaround time short. In this small shop, and with his wife of 35 years, he managed to put his three daughters through college, and work every day on his own – his shop was never closed. He was always there.

Mr. Lee, you will be missed by all of the residents who have frequented your shop and required your talented services. Good luck to you in your retirement. Thanks for a great 20 years and your invaluable service!