Federico's Drive In Shoe Service
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Federico's Drive In Shoe Service
Federico's Shoe Repair is one of the oldest merchants in Monterey. The shop was established in 1939 by Charles Federicoafter purchasing a small shoe repair shop on Franklin Street, Monterey. The shop started off as a small one man store that mostly provided 'while you wait' work because many people only had one pair of shoes.

After adding a drive in window, business began to thrive and Federico's became a locals favorite shop to drive up and hang out while waiting for repairs. After Charles won his first National Workmanship Award and business began to thrive as customers began sending shoes from out of town to get repaired.
Services
At Federico's Shoe Repair we repair, men's shoes, women's shoes, orthopedic build up, and just about anything with leather. From sewing, to dying and professional rebuilds. We also modify shoes for comfort or appearance. This can include fitting adjustments, linings, straps, patches, boot leg height and width.
Proper care is very important for keeping your shoes in the best possible shape. Even some of the highest quality shoes can wear with time so the best way to extend the life of your shoes is to give them the proper care they need. It is important to find the right kind of protectant for suede. You cannot polish and remove any scuff marks like you would normally do with leather, you need to use a suede eraser to rub away small marks.
Reviews (28)
John Bond
John Bond
Jun 30, 2021
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Awesome...awesome...and awesome. Quality work and professional service. I have never seen a shoe repair store this nice. I would recommend. Thank you.
Ana K.
Ana K.
Jun 30, 2021
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I brought this french belt to the store that needed an extra hole. The lady at the register helped me immediately. They had different hole sizes and she consulted me first before doing any work.
Not only the belt looks like it came with the extra hole from the store but she was kind enough to not charge me for it.

They also have a drive thru if you don't want to get out of your car and all kind of accessories for your shoes. I highly recommend this store.
Betsy MacGowan
Betsy MacGowan
Jun 04, 2021
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Federico's is just amazing. I took my all leather Timberland hiking boots in after lunch on a Thursday, just hoping that there would be a chance they could repair the 5 seams where the thread was coming loose. All my fault for setting them next to a campfire to dry out, and singeing the thread. I had to tell them the boots probably had poison oak on them, and Federico's STILL was willing to work on them. They called about an hour later to say the boots were ready. I don't know how they can even get in to those tight spaces to fix the seams. This probably extends the life of these boots for months
Kathy W.
Kathy W.
Apr 29, 2021
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Federico's has been around forever, they never disappoint. Took a vintage wallet in today for some stitching and within a couple of hours I had it back looking brand new. Prices are ridiculously reasonable, and the folks are friendly.
Sean D.
Sean D.
Nov 08, 2020
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Highest quality work. Respectful and honest staff. Extremely experienced and very well priced. I have taken three sets of shoes here of different textures and levels of disrepair and the the quality of the work is second to none. However, you need to ensure you call them prior to the expected completion date because they have only completed the work on time once and called me to let me know they were going to be late once. If you are in the area, it is absolutely the place to go. But make sure to call before date of pickup.
Mandel B.
Mandel B.
Nov 16, 2019
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Friendly, efficient and reasonable. Able to fix some nuisance defects and re-gluing on shoes. Could not have been a better job. These folks are the best out there.
Tony Wood
Tony Wood
Nov 10, 2019
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Federico's is one of the few remaining good shoe tradesman and this shop can take care of all your leather needs
Ryann H.
Ryann H.
Oct 31, 2019
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2 out of 2 times I have take items (one pair of shoes and a purse) in to this shop for VERY basic repairs (things I could do at home but was busy and thought it would be easier to have them do it) I was told "we don't do that" which makes me wonder what they actually do.

I needed a strap fixed on a purse, basic repair, you can buy the stuff to do it with on amazon. I was told "we don't make things, we fix things" I didn't need anything made, the purse is already made, but broken...therefore, that would be "fixing".

They were rude and suggested that
Catherine B.
Catherine B.
Oct 10, 2019
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Fantastic Shoe Repair! They also work on handbags, belts, anything leather. Always friendly, and excellent work done by all.. especially Penny (thanks, Penny!). Best thing for those in a rush?... their drive thru pick up. Great idea which really works. Hmmm.. I wonder if anyone there used to live up in the Pacific Northwest?.. home of the drive thru everything!
Marissa Serna
Marissa Serna
Aug 08, 2019
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Poor service- front counter person was cheerful with the FedEx guy, definitely not for me. She was short with me and had a scowl the entire time. I was polite, paid for their service & left. They did a good job on a wedge shoe re-sole, though.
Ariana S.
Ariana S.
Jun 19, 2019
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This place is AWESOME!! I had 8 Christmas Stocking embroidered last year and they came out PHENOMENAL!!! They were ready BEFORE the date they were promised. These folks are reliable, dependable and honest. I wish I could give them more then 5 stars. See the results for yourself in the picture below!!!!
Susan D.
Susan D.
Jun 01, 2019
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I've been coming to this place for many years and they can fix everything. They do an amazing job - I have name brand purses and you can't even tell that it was fix. I just brought my expensive Birkenstock leather sandal to get the sole replaced. I'll be picking it up this week and I bet it would look as new.
Tracy C.
Tracy C.
May 31, 2019
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My favorite pair of leather boots were extra squeaky, so much so that random strangers would comment on them as I was walking down the street. Jose spent a lot of time trying to figure out what was making them squeak. He told me to drop the boots off and when I came to pick them up, they no longer squeaked and they were beautiful (not sure what he did to them, but they are like new)! Also the price was extra reasonable! I love this place. Thank you, Jose!
T. V.
T. V.
May 22, 2019
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I have a pair of expensive leather boots.
My heels are always wearing down too quick.

My boots got wet in the rain and the color was just gone. When I bought them they were a beautiful Dk Blue color.
So one heal was already past the point to fix, I thought. They said one week.
I came back and paid for the bag that they handed me with my boots in it.
When I got home and opened the bag.... I nearly had a heart attack!
These boots were almost more Beautiful and Rich in color than when I purchased them!
So lovely and the heals were done perfectly!

I am truly impressed and amazed by the work that
Jeff T.
Jeff T.
Dec 06, 2018
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Great job!!!! I had let a pair of boots go too long and had not only walked through the rubber heal, but had worn away the heal structure underneath. The boots were ready when they promised, they did a prefect like new job. They polished boots, I think they may have dyed them too, because color was so rich and deep. I cannot produce that look with a spit shine! I paid the same price I was quoted. So great to do business with a local that really cares about their customers and does a superior job. Thank you!
Mr. Clean X.
Mr. Clean X.
Oct 18, 2018
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Just got my thick nylon suspenders trimmed & doubled up with a nice stitch around the edges. The tailor I usually go to said it would be too much for his machines & recommended Federico's.

Glad he provided this tip! Service was on point. I was expecting the suspenders to be done in one day & they called me back in less than 60 mins! Seemed to have plenty of Staff in the back of Store at work.

Drive through is recommended, as parking is limited on Abrego Street. Also got a bit light headed inside the Store from all of the shoe shine fumes (they seem to have all kinds) Maybe
Roynan S.
Roynan S.
Aug 02, 2018
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This place is the best. They're cheap, they're fast, they have a drive thru window, and today they fixed something for me for free on the spot because they're chill af. Go here. Keep local businesses alive.
Alaska P.
Alaska P.
Jul 23, 2018
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The only place around to bring your leather goods. I needed straps moved on a cavesson (for a horse) and I was leaving town the next day. Four hours later and it was beautifully stitched and moved, just like I requested. Very reasonable pricing as well.

Not to mention the shoes that they have saved for me over the years! A Monterey institution for a reason. Great customer service, fabulous work, highly recommend to anyone.

Plus the drive thru can't be beat if you are dropping off!
Craig C.
Craig C.
Jul 21, 2018
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This place was great I got up this morning and went to tie my hiking boots and my laces broke. I called around and saw the ratings on Federico's I called them he said he had plenty of laces in several colors. I came in put my boot on the counter the lady looked at the boots went straight to where the laces were and even put the new laces in both boots while I stood there all for less than $4. That's service for a customer who didn't spend much money there.
We are visiting from out of state but these folks are great.
Food- E.
Food- E.
Jul 16, 2018
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For you folks that need repairs but can't seem to get there during business hours, I just found out you can drop off at Star Cleaners in Salinas. They only pickup/deliver once per week, but since I work in Salinas, this is perfect for me!
Rob L.
Rob L.
Jun 03, 2018
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Great service and they did a nice job on my eight pairs of shoes. I missed the drive through option but won't next time. Thank you Federico's
Liz C.
Liz C.
Oct 21, 2017
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I've been going to Federico's for years for general re-soling of shoes, repairing a torn leather jacket, removing grass and mud stains from the heels and edges of satin sandals, and for supplies like shining and protectorant products, shoe inserts, etc.
Well, I recently took in a 12"x10" crossbody Dooney & Bourke bag that was beautiful but had a design flaw: a skinny strap that dug into my shoulder, and two buckles, one of which was upside down... (I bought it online).
Ok, so I took the bag in to see if the strap could be replaced with a wider one. I met with Jose and he
Jeremy Hawran
Jeremy Hawran
Sep 20, 2015
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Great service! I had spilt something on my leather shoes (Not sure what it was, I just noticed the stain one day) and tried cleaning it multiple times with leather cleaner with no luck. I took the shoes here as a last resort before taking them to Goodwill. Not expecting the stain to be gone, I picked them up and they looked brand new! Well worth the money.
J. R. C.
J. R. C.
Sep 18, 2015
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Good work on my boots. I paid them to resole my Lucchese Cowboy boots. I knew what sole I wanted as a replacement, asked when and how much, and the end result was great. I don't know what the other four reviewers are angry about, but I didn't pay them to polish my boots. They put a new sole on, and properly edge dressed it. Workmanship looks great, and it was done in a four day turn around, which is completely acceptable in my eyes.
Lale R.
Lale R.
Aug 05, 2015
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DONT BRING YOUR NICE SHOES HERE!!! I brought my Christian Louboutin heels here and they completely ruined the beautiful red sole and covered the signature. My beautiful shoes are completely ruined and they killed the value of the shoes!!! And when I told the owner about the problem he started screaming at me saying that " we're not getting things done the way that customers think we should do them. We do things the way we think things need to be done!" Horrible Horrible Experience!
Sea Fog
Sea Fog
Jun 11, 2015
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My son's racing suit needed customization with his name on his back and on the belt. As usual he needed it right away. The first company I called, was in Salinas, and they told me it would be ready in three weeks. Then I found Federico's Embroidery and Shoe service, where they did the job in 2-3 days, and the price was very reasonable also. The owner helped me, who is a down to earth man of few words, but polite and efficient. I am planning to use their service more often.
Doug Elkins
Doug Elkins
Dec 29, 2013
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Horrible customer service when I dropped off my boots for a shine. Two days later I picked them up looking exactly like they did when I dropped them off. I couldn't even tell if they had done anything at all to them. I wish I had checked the reviews prior to driving them down but I was in a hurry.
Katya Garcia
Katya Garcia
Jul 01, 2012
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I read both reviews but decided to give it a try anyway. I brought three pairs of shoes just to get some minor soles work done - put pads on heels and front. For the first pair I was quoted 79.50 (mind you I paid less for the boots when I bought them). I underastand it's not NYC - but I would be charged no more than $10-15. When I asked for a breakdown of labor and parts - the man just laughed and said something arrogant along the lines me not living here long. Anyway, I can't comment on the quality and maybe if your boots are worth that they do a discent job - I won't know, I am saving mine for