08/05/2024
So, we're coming up on the 20 year anniversary of me owning the shop (August 27th). There is a lot of history tied to Tulsa Shoe Rebuilders which started way back in 1928. There was however, another shoe repair shop downtown. In fact there were several downtown shops back in those days, I think somewhere between 5 and 10 shops. Tulsa area used to have about 90 shops in the 1960's as an example. So back to today's story:
Today someone from California called and asked if I had ever heard of Constantin Shoe Repair, etc. I said "yes, I have heard of them." She said that was her family's shop. How she used to go there and how much she loved that place. She said she is retired now and about 70 some years age.
Now backing up several years ago I found on eBay an old but like new shoe horn/bottle opener with the engraving of Constantin Shoe Shop, 517 S. Boston, Tulsa, OK Tel. 2-5826. I thought it was a cool piece of Tulsa stuff. So I bought it and hung it on a magnetized tool bar in the shop. During this conversation my eyes lit up light spot lights. I asked if she was on a cell phone and she said "yes." So I took a picture and texted it to her. Constanin was her grandpa's family name and that was his shop. I said "well I didn't know why I was buying that off eBay but now I do. So I could send it to you whenever you called." She says "do you believe in serendipity?" I said "oh yes, totally." I can't believe how easy it was for me to walk over and pick up that shoe horn without having to dig through a box for it. I am so happy yo send her this shoe horn and hope it makes her day. She knew all about me and the shop. She reminded me I'm coming up on my 20th year and she asked if I had recovered from the heart surgery in August of 2012. She knew all about everything.
We talked several more minutes and she said the nicest thing today "I can hear the smile on your face." Sometimes when I'm thinking the glass is half empty, it's really overflowing.
ser·en·dip·i·ty ˌser-ən-ˈdip-ət-ē : the gift of finding valuable or agreeable things not looked for.
Thank you Anne for the call today. Be on the lookout for the shoe horn in your mailbox.
