In September 1997, our founder Ryk Hattingh bought the business run from the wee kiosk known at that time as Milan’s Shoe Repairs, next to Lumsden and Kerr pharmacy on the condition that the owner teach him the trade over the next 3 months. On 1st December 1997, Ryk took ownership and renamed the business Cobble (from the verb to cobble, which in essence is what cobblers do, we cobble things together).
In April 1999, Ryk was looking to hire an apprentice as he and his wife were expecting their third child later that year. Dan’s father Will had asked about buying the business and learning the trade and Ryk had said ‘you’re too old for me to train, do you know anyone else?’. Will said ‘my son needs a job’ and with that Ryk agreed to meet Dan and try to teach him the necessary skills for the trade.
On the 1st May 1999 Dan started to work for Ryk and although very slow initially he gradually learnt all aspects of the business starting from key cutting and engraving through to shoe repairs.
When Ryk passed away in October of 2017, just shy of the 20th anniversary of his shop it was decided that Dan would take over the business he and Ryk had built up over the years.
In March 2018 the kiosk was upgraded to a new wooden one and moved up against the Victor apartment site while the original worn out aluminium kiosk was demolished to make space for both chemist signage and to tidy up the surrounding area.
On St. Patrick’s weekend Dan and an amazing crew of helpers moved all the equipment from the old shop into the new one (after trading hours). What a busy weekend that was!
On the 1st April 2018, Dan Fordyce took ownership and the kiosk was later rebranded with the modern look of our distinctive shoe and key ring logo with the yellow colour an ode to the cartoon panels Ryk had installed on his kiosk many years ago as well as the Est. 1997 also being a legacy to our founder.
We are proud to have been serving the community all these years and still offer the same quality craftsmanship and service that you have come to expect from us.
We have extended our range over the years to include not only shoe care accessories and pet tags but also key accessories, belts, padlocks and more.
Stop by and see us, we look forward to dealing with you soon, thanks