Salvatore Calzature
110 Norton Street · Calzolaio · since 1962

The cobbler at the end of Norton Street, since 1962— Quattro generazioni · same last, same bench.

Salvatore Calzature is one of the last family-owned shoe-repair benches in Sydney. Heel-and-sole, full Goodyear-welt re-sole, leather restoration, custom-built welted shoes. Bench-built in Leichhardt for sixty-three years.

10–14 dSole & heel
~6 wksFull restoration
12 mthBespoke welted
— Quattro generazioni

The four Salvatore cobblers, in order.

1962 — 1985

Salvatore Romano

Bisnonno · Founder

Trained as a calzolaio in Naples, emigrated 1958. Opened the shop in 1962 in the original two-metre window. Welted the wedding shoes for half the Leichhardt Italian community.

1985 — 2008

Domenico Romano

Nonno · Second

Apprenticed under his father from age fourteen. Modernised the bench to take goretex and rubber-Vibram sole work alongside leather. Still consults from the back room on Saturdays.

2008 — 2031

Pietro Romano

Padre · Third

Bench-mate to his father since 1996. Took the lead in 2008 and added the custom-built welted shoe service. Cuts the patterns. Hand-stitches the welts.

2024 — present

Luca & Alessia Romano

Quarta · Brother & sister

Luca trained at Tricker's, Northampton (2018–22) and at Marchetti, Padua (2022–24). Alessia handles the front of house, custom-build briefs, and the leather-conservation enquiries.

— What we repair · Repariamo questo

What the bench takes on, plainly priced.

i.
Heel and soleStandard repair · leather or rubber Vibram
10–14 daysBench-only · no offshore
$95 – $145
ii.
Goodyear-welt re-soleFull unstitch and rebuild · welt retained
4–6 weeksBy the welt only
$340 – $440
iii.
Leather restorationRe-finish · re-stain · re-lacquer
2–3 weeksLight or heavy
$185 – $345
iv.
Stretch & last workStretch · lift · arch support refit
5 daysOne-fitting work
$48 – $95
v.
Custom-built welted shoeThree fittings · stock or custom last
10–12 monthsBy appointment
$3,950+
vi.
Bespoke bootEngineer, Chelsea, ranch-cut · last
12 monthsBy appointment
$4,450+
vii.
Riding boot serviceAnnual leather, stitch and tree work
3 weeksEquestrian customers
$285
viii.
Family-shoe conservationHeirloom shoes returned to wearable
4–8 weeksCase-by-case
P.O.A.
— Behind the bench

Sixty-three years on Norton Street, and the bench is the same bench.

The original Italian-made workbench from 1962 is still in the back room. The hammer Domenico used has been re-handled twice but is the same hammer. The first pair of last-blocks Salvatore bought in Naples are still on the wall.

Luca and Alessia took over the lead role in 2024. Pietro is still at the bench on Tuesday and Friday mornings to consult on the welt rebuilds. Three generations on the floor most weeks.

"Una scarpa che dura è una scarpa che viene cucita, non incollata. A shoe that lasts is one that is stitched — not one that is glued."— Pietro Romano · Third Generation
— The Norton Street bench

The workshop, looking south.

— Visit the bench

By phone, in person, or in advance.

Drop-offs accepted in the front room any weekday morning. Custom-build briefings by appointment, Wednesday afternoons. Pietro stops for espresso between 10:30 and 11:00.

Indirizzo

110 Norton Street
Leichhardt NSW 2040

Orari

Tue – Fri · 09:00 – 17:30
Sat · 09:00 – 13:00

Contatto

+61 2 9560 2208
bench@salvatorecalzature.com.au