I stopped into The House of Leather by pure chance, and it turned into one of the most genuinely…read morewarm and wholesome experiences I've had in over a decade. From the moment we walked in, we were welcomed like we weren't just customers, but people Maria was genuinely happy to see. The owner, who has been working with leather for over 50 years, has a kindness and sincerity that you just don't come across anymore. What started as browsing quickly turned into something special. She invited us into her workshop, shared stories about her craft and life, and even took the time to teach my wife how to braid leather bracelets using scrap pieces she had on hand. You could feel how much it meant to her to pass on what she knows. This isn't just a shop, it's a place built on passion, community, and genuine human connection. While we were there, locals stopped in just to chat, bring her things, and check in. That alone tells you everything about the kind of person she is. Every piece is handmade, often from leftover leather so nothing goes to waste. I ended up with a bracelet made from scrap off a custom belt, and it's something I'll value far beyond just how it looks. She also offers hat sizing and will adjust or customize leather items right there on the spot, which is something you almost never see anymore. You don't just leave with something you bought, you leave with a story and a memory. I haven't felt that kind of genuine warmth in a very long time. If you're anywhere nearby, do yourself a favor and stop in. Places and people like this are rare.

Maria is the best. Not only is she a great person to talk to but she is a great leather seamstress…read morethat will modify your leather purchase right at the time. Huge selection. Good prices. High quality cowhide leather, not sheepskin or deer skin cheap stuff. She has leather hats, silver made jewelry, purses, patches, leather vest, leather chaps, leather jackets, dream catchers, wallets, belts, just about anything you could want. I purchased a leather jacket and chaps from her probably 20 years ago and grew out of them so I needed to replace them. Although she had personal business to deal with she made time to make sure that the jacket fit me properly, she took it and back and did some sewing on it. Then she helped me pick out some leather chaps and again made sure that they were fitted cut to length and hemmed all while I waited. While I waited I found a hat that I liked and she is going to order the correct size for me. I also ended up buying a nice leather bifold wallet and a leather belt with tooling. So many nice things there. Bought a few things I wasn't planning on purchasing but I'm happy that I did. She always makes time for her customers and make sure that what they get is absolutely perfect for them. She does the kind of service that they used to do in the old days. She takes care of her customers not just the purchase.

David made a custom watch band for me recently. I had a great experience from the first appointment…read moreuntil I picked it up. He spent lots of time talking about his different leathers and all of the different attributes each one had, along with general chat about watches and photography. He made suggestions to guide me on my choice. He re-used the buckle from the original band and it integrated well into the band he crafted. Very happy with the final product!

From the owner: We specialize in handmade custom leather goods. We are currently open by appointment only. Please…read morecall to schedule a time to meet with us.

I brought my air cast in to Cortini's today because the heel plate fell off and needed to be…read morere-glued. The owner repaired it while I waited and checked and repaired the sole because it was also showing wear. He dropped everything he was doing to help me since he correctly figured I really needed to use that air cast. I was very impressed. The repair cost was also very reasonable. Great job, Cortini's!

I had a pair of 15 yr old Carharrt work boots that needed new soles. The repair and rehab of the…read moreboots was superior and the cost reasonable. Highly recommended craftsman.

I 100% recommend he was so kind and so friendly and so helpful. He had my shoes fixed within the…read moreweek. He was extremely affordable fantastic man if you need your shoes fixed, you have to go here.

Overall, a great experience with some caveats. The workmanship is good, but in my experience, the…read moreattention to detail is not quite as high as other cobblers I have worked with. Heel replacements and sole protectors tend to be a bit uneven in some parts, for example, and could be sanded a bit smoother. However, I am nitpicking, as these are things no one will notice unless they see the shoes up close. But if you want work done on a particularly nice pair of shoes, there are other cobblers that could be better suited. The big pros are speed and pricing. Pricing is very competitive and affordable. Turn around time is generally within a few business days for most smaller jobs like heels.

Called and left voicemail and sent text inquiry with pictures re repairing family heirloom leather…read morelion late on a Friday afternoon. Within 5 minutes I had a response and quote. The lion was picked up the next day and returned 8 days later fully repaired. I am so pleased I wish there was a + or 6 star rating I could give. Honest, trustworthy and fast! Cannot recommend highly enough.

From the owner: Quality work at Affordable prices. We aim to please Beyond…read moreYour Belief. We're mobile and come to your location.

Great service and good advice given when I had a question about caring for a pair of my shoes at…read morehome. Friendly owner who takes pride in his work and the long running family business.

They are the best. Communicated when it was going to take more time than expected. And understood…read morewhen I needed more time to pick up because of my schedule. I will always choose to go here regardless of where I live!

I had a pair of boots that had a dent in the top of one that made it somewhat uncomfortable to…read morewear. I stopped in on my lunch hour to drop the boot off and Rob graciously fixed the boot right then and there within 10 mins and gave both boots a good brushing and waterproofing for the upcoming winter months. Excellent price, great work, and great customer service!

World-class customer service. This guy does not miss. Only orthopedic certified shoe technician in…read moreRochester. 65+ years family business. Need I say more? - Matt K.

Went in looking for a specific item. I asked a sales associate if they could check if other stores…read morehad it in stock. Was told--in a clearly annoyed tone-- "this is going to be the last store I call, otherwise I'll be on the phone all day." It's worth noting the store was not busy, and there were other sales associates working. I was considering browsing the store, but after that rude comment, I couldn't leave fast enough. Will definitely not be back. As someone who worked in retail for years, I realize calling other stores for merchandise can be a pain, but that's literally your job.

So glad to have Madewell in Eastview. I've picked up some of my favorite pieces here like a cute…read moresailor style cropped top and a jersey t-shirt dress. Some things are a little pricey, but when you find a good piece it's worth it to buy it. I have friends who obsess over their jeans. I have yet to own a pair, but will consider it when I'm due for a closet refresh. Their leather bags are amazing, as are their shoes! It's always worth a stop when I come to the mall. I always find great seasonal standbys that are trendy, yet classic.

I have been a customer of Extreme Biker Leather for several years. While I no longer live in…read moreRochester, I do visit regularly, which has allowed me to make a few purchases from EBL. They offer a wide array of different leather jackets suitable for use when riding a motorcycle. They also offer textile jackets, rain gear, and protective armor, etc., too. I purchased my favorite pair of riding gloves from EBL and I'm still enjoying them when I ride. With great customer service and pricing, I'm bound to return again when time permits. Give them a chance like I did, and you'll probably become a repeat customer like me.