It's a fact of life — nothing lasts forever. Knives lose their edge, loafers buckle, and vacuum cleaners cease to suck.
If you have the time, you can always DIY, and if you've got the cash, you can buy replacements, but there's a third option; Oakland is home to old-school shops that can skillfully salvage your prized (and aged) possessions.
In honor of these throwback professions, we've rounded up five shops that preserve items many people dispose of at the first sign of trouble.
Shoes resoled: Cobblers Shoes, 418 15th St.
Yelpers gush about cheap prices, high-quality service and friendly staff at Cobblers, a Downtown shoe shop. If you're looking to get your shoes resoled, stretched or shined, Cobblers specializes in repairs and offers speedy turn-around times have had patrons flocking here for years.
Fix a vacuum cleaner: Grand Lake Sew & Vac Center, 3250 Grand Ave.
Grand Lake Sew & Vac Center has been serving the East Bay for over 40 years. Since 1972, it's offered a selection of vacuums, steam mops, dry cleaners and air purifiers for sale.
According to the business website, highly trained staff test every vacuum model on the market to provide customers with the most reliable appliances at each price point. In addition, the center also offers repair services for almost every make and model manufactured.
Tailoring: Anatoly’s, 3864 Piedmont Ave.
Anatoly’s carries a selection of casual and former men's wear, including European sports coats, leather belts and KYBOE! watches. In addition to its retail stock, the family-operated business also specializes in tailoring services for men and women and has served the Bay Area for 20+ years.
Knife sharpening: Shaver & Cutlery Shop, 2874 Telegraph Ave.
Oakland’s "knife expert" has been around for more than 60 years, offering an inventory of tactical supplies, barber equipment and cutlery like razors and knives. "Blade professionals" at this establishment can also help you whet worn-out blades and repair electric trimmers.
Watch repair: Friendly Watch Repair, 328 10th St.
According to Yelper Jonathan C., the owner of Friendly Watch Repair has three decade's worth of experience under his belt. Housed inside a storefront in Chinatown, this one-man booth has gained a loyal following thanks to its super speedy customer service, which Yelper Phil Y. testifies to in a review: "The myth is a reality," he reports. "Got my watch band changed in 5 minutes."
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