CITY Cobbler Dereck Ramcharitar makes it his duty to travel to the United States of America at least once a year in order to bring back to Guyana the best materials available to repair all kinds of footwear.
But recently, it seems his efforts are going in vain as people apparently prefer the inferior materials that they can pick up at a cheaper price. “So business is practically dead,” he told the Chronicle in an interview last Thursday.
Dereck was quick to point out, though, that these individuals are in actuality opting for the more expensive choice as sooner, rather than later, their shoes are again in need of repair because of choosing poor quality of materials.
Nevertheless, Dereck is optimistic that that business will pick up again, even as it has been about three months since he has been experiencing a drop. Now 26 years in the shoe business, he has spent 20 of those years stationed inside the Guyana Post Office Building.
Dereck, 50, is a resident of Better Hope, East Coast Demerara. Fixing shoes has become like second nature to him, he said.
He originally wanted to enlist in the military, but that didn’t work out; so he sought other jobs. However, he still found it difficult to care for his wife, Janet.
Things got better for them, though, when Janet helped him find a job with a city cobbler who worked in the Fogarty’s Building at the time. When Dereck started out, he knew little about the art of repairing shoes, but underwent some training by the city cobbler. Eventually, he mastered the trade, and started loving what he was doing.
The cobbler eventually migrated, so Dereck was left with the business, which he took over some ten years ago. He moved from Fogarty’s Supermarket to the Guyana Stores Building across the road, and having stayed there for some time, he moved again to the Guyana Post Office building, where he presently operates and can be found once the searcher makes two right turns upon entering the post office from North Road.
Explaining some of the services he provides, Dereck said: “I do ladies’ shoe heel…mek yo shoes look back new. We do the half-sole, whole sole with imported stuff. People buy pumps, and within two weeks the bottom break up…we will replace the bottom, and it usually lasts real long. We do gents’ shoes with imported gents’ heels, and could replace the heel with imported ones. We do gents’ soles too. So, everything about shoes we do.
“The material I use is very strong. It doesn’t break, and it doesn’t grind down easily, so you can mash the pumps properly. The heel I use for the ladies’ shoes is the best quality in the world. I used to use other materials, but people complained, so I got better stuff.”
Unlike some cobblers, who fail to deliver quality work, Dereck believes that satisfying the customer is first priority. “My business is all about quality and giving people advice. I tell you what type of shoes to buy on the market. I think about satisfying the customer first, and then about getting paid.”
Dereck was modest enough to admit that he was not always this kind of person. “I was no good in character. Only until I started to do this job, everybody knows ‘Mr. Nice Guy’. Twenty-two years ago, you wouldn’t want to know me. My wife and kids (Dereck jnr. and Lisa) had a good effect on me. When you get responsibilities, you change. Everybody can change.”
TIGHT SHOES

Never wear tight shoes; and when washing, wipe those shoes thoroughly with a little soap powder or sweet smelling liquid soap, not bleach; and put them out in the sun for a bit. Be careful not to leave them out too long, lest they become damaged. And let air do the rest, once they are taken out of the sun. Take it from Dereck that this is the correct way to clean your shoes!
He said the best type of shoes women should wear are the ones that carry an open front. Why? He explained that this helps with blood circulation in the body. Only men, Dereck said, may wear shoes that are closed up in front. However, those shoes should be a little slack to allow for circulation. In fact, he recommends that people should always wear shoes that are soft and comfortable.
Offering some advice to other cobblers, Dereck said: “If something (shoes) cannot be done, don’t take it and do it. First thing you should do is to advise people. Don’t work for the money alone, give people advice. You get more customers that way. It’s best you tell people the truth. You have to love what you do before you can get it right. Put your heart into it and everything falls into place.”
Dereck works from Monday to Friday from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm, and from 8.00 am to 11.00 am on Saturdays. He also works at home sometimes.

By Telesha Ramnarine