Businesses appear and disappear from the streets of large cities and small towns every day. A stop-action film of any community would seem like a boiling froth of small businesses - with shop fronts popping into existence and either radically changing or neatly winking out of sight within the space of a few frames.
For the small town of Bethesda, Maryland, that same stop-action movie would seem less like froth and more like an instant come and gone. Over the course of the past half-century, the landscape of Bethesda has changed completely and irrevocably. Tiny shops and cement factories have given way to fancy restaurants and upmarket chain stores.
For the small town of Bethesda, Maryland, that same stop-action movie would seem less like froth and more like an instant come and gone. Over the course of the past half-century, the landscape of Bethesda has changed completely and irrevocably. Tiny shops and cement factories have given way to fancy restaurants and upmarket chain stores.
Services
Fortuna's of Bethesda was founded in 1943, making it one of Bethesda's longest-running independent businesses. Fortuna's was established by Joseph W. Fortuna, of Philadelphia. Every member of Joseph's family, from his nieces to his grandchildren have worked in the store, many of them as trained shoe repair professionals.
Shoe repair can mean anything from replacing a heel lift to a complete rebuild. Many shoe repairs can be done while you wait. Some Shoe Repairs require more time and a convenient completion date will be promised. Every shoe repair gets our full attention. Whether it is a minor repair or a full rebuild, we promise to give it the benefit of our years of experience.
As a founding member of the International Luggage Repair Association (ILRA), Fortuna's can offer you skillful completion of a wide range of repairs-in a timely manner. Whatever brand of luggage you have chosen, we evaluate and repair common carrier damage, do warranty repair, and just plain "fix it" what years of faithful service has done to your luggage and/or business cases.
Reviews (14)
Elizabeth R.
Jan 08, 2022
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I handed over a pair of pristine, never-worn boots and watched in shock as the man at Fortuna's bent the beautiful un-creased shoe in half repeatedly at the toe to show something about the sole. I told him to stop, but I guess he couldn't hear me over the noise of the store and the mask, but regardless it shows terrible judgement to do something that everyone knows will mark and damage the leather. Someone who's whole job is caring for shoes would certainly know that.
So now I have one lovely sleek boot and one lined in creases, including a line across the toe that makes it look
So now I have one lovely sleek boot and one lined in creases, including a line across the toe that makes it look
Sandy Y.
Jun 14, 2021
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I had a badly broken strap on my shoulder bag and a Georgetown store employee recommended Fortunas for their leather repair. They did an excellent job repairing my bag, as well as a large leather couch cushion with a long tear. Their pricing is reasonable, repairs are completed on time, and they clearly take great pride in their work. I was very happy to find this outstanding small business in Bethesda; thank you, Fortunas !
Patrick H.
Oct 14, 2020
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We have used Fortuna's for 28 years and have never once been disappointed. They are the Gold Standard of shoe service in this area. In the rare circumstance where something they work on needs additional attention they give it. Plus the present Woodmont Avenue location and the former one remind me of a place I might have entered in Boston or Providence back in the earlier 70s or in old downtown San Jose before the internet and tech with a lot of historical color and charm from the earlier Nineteenth Century. It has always been a pleasure to do business with Fortunas.
Vincent B.
Jun 07, 2020
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Lee L.
Jun 22, 2019
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I wish Yelp would let me review this place more than once. A good cobbler is an absolute must for an irish dancer as we can be very hard on the shoes. Every time I've managed to damage my shoes, Fortuna's comes through with a strong and quick repair- and I have yet to need to miss a class or performance because they've been able to fix things fast and well done every time. Top notch customer service!
Chris D.
May 29, 2018
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Esther D.
Feb 16, 2018
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This is the best shoe and leather repair store. Me and my girlfriends drop off our Manolo's, Christian Louboutin, etc to be resoled or repaired. For the last 8 plus years. I recently had the handles of a YSL bag repaired. After Nieman Marcus failed twice to get it right. This is the store you drop off your items without questions asked, with complete faith you won't be disappointed. This store has been around for a long time and it's through word of mouth that they keep and grow their clientele.
Anita P.
Dec 30, 2017
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Great repair work as well as very good products for shoe maintenance. I have had shoes repaired here (really worn out clogs that were re-soled) and my husband buys polish (a pretty good selection of colors and the staff is happy to assist with questions.) A great local shop with personal expert help and very good handiwork at a reasonable price.
B. A.
May 19, 2017
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EDIT: I later realized when they replaced the half sole and that it was actually thicker than the heel. This is really bad for your posture/feet/legs/stride etc and can cause stress injuries.
Don't waste you time and money. Terrible! The people at the counter are rude, they do sloppy work and are unapologetic about it.
I recently went in to have new heels put on a pair of wing tips. Within a few days the heels fell off! I was out of town so I managed to fix them myself. When I returned I went to them and showed them photos. I then said I would like to get half soles put on as well. When
Don't waste you time and money. Terrible! The people at the counter are rude, they do sloppy work and are unapologetic about it.
I recently went in to have new heels put on a pair of wing tips. Within a few days the heels fell off! I was out of town so I managed to fix them myself. When I returned I went to them and showed them photos. I then said I would like to get half soles put on as well. When
Kim H.
Jul 31, 2016
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Nari G.
Dec 17, 2015
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Solid 4 stars. I don't own Louboutins but I took few if my favorite pumps here that I wore for 5+ years. One of them a dog had a chew party with it when she was a puppy. Fortuna had it re-re-repaired the heel, glued and painted it back. They also re-soled all the heels with a Vibram sole for 40/pair. I have to say being completely spoiled by Atlantic Leather in Richmond, I think I might have found a suitable replacement.
Rhoda W.
Dec 06, 2015
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Connie L.
Mar 01, 2014
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I have been going here since I needed my first pair of loubis re-soled and haven't regretted it since! I take my brand new loubis in now to get soled before scuffing them up on the streets. I don't use the vibram soles but these other brighter red soles they have at the store that offer traction, protection, and look really nice! It costs $40 and takes a week, but is worth the wait!
I will continue going to them to protect my favorite pairs of Christian louboutins :). Thank you!
I will continue going to them to protect my favorite pairs of Christian louboutins :). Thank you!
Tam T.
Apr 12, 2011
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I had a pair of Christian Louboutins re-soled with the red vibram rubber soles. From their website and pictures posted, they had me sold. I was excited to get my shoes back. I paid $35 when I dropped them off and I picked them up a week later. When I picked them up, I was in a hurry so I just opened the box to make sure my shoes were in there and quickly left. When I got home I inspected my shoes. The "red" rubber sole was more of an orange color. It did not match the original red sole at all. They cut too much of the original sole off and they even messed up the Christian Louboutin logo
