OK, the old Central Market is probably the only building in the whole Central that doesn't "fit…read morein", and same goes the shops still operating in it, primarily on the first floor where they catch arguably the most number of people commuting every day connecting the Mid-Levels Escalator and IFC/MTR station. Anyway, while most of the shops seem shady and a waste of space, Perfect Shoe and Key is quite handy. We used to find shoe & key service at MTR stations, but seemingly not as many operating now as the old days. (By the way, never know the reason why shoe and key service are always put together.) When I walked in the shop, I usually got this only staff there. He usually said nothing, stared dead in your eyes, and his only face expression is ain't-no-time-for-espressione. Give him the shoes, and he'll take care of the shoes. Give him the keys, he will take care of the keys. No questions asked, no unnecessary chitchat. Like hiring a hitman, but this is much cheaper. (And I never ever hired a hitman, just for the record...) I paid maybe $20 for like a couple of spared keys, and I paid HKD$450 to replace the completely worn-off bottom of both my shoes which originally worth HKD$3,500. That $450 can now probably double my shoes lifespan. So here you go, very efficient, really reasonably priced, at a fairly convenient location, and get the job done. Couldn't ask for more (yes, I could actually.... Maybe a smile here and there?)

It's hard to find something to say about a small shoe repair and key cutting store - they cut keys…read moreand repair shoes. However, I always go to the same place 'cos I like the lovely old "uncle" dude who does the work there. He's understated, never fusses and just gets the job done without that often prevalent HK grumbling. Perfect is located in the dingy little "art" tunnel that joins the end of the esco with IFC mall. It is a simple shop, that repairs shoes and cuts keys, so what is the big deal. They are cheap! For a store (and note I say store and not back alley canopy in Wan Chai) that is right in the middle of Central, the cost of a key cut is pocket change. The last time I did and admittedly simple Yale style key, it was less than HKD20. It's so cheap in fact that my family in the UK send their keys over to me to get them cut and then I send them back. With the postage it's still cheaper than home! The key stocks are also plentiful. I have never been there and had cut refused due to a lack of the correct base key. Uncle key cutter also does shoes. Mrs L sends all her shoes there to be resoled and repaired, and given the state of many of her shoes, they do a great job. Just a few weeks ago we were out and about when Mrs L's sole fell off. Fortunately we were in IFC, so a quick run (or flappy shoed hobble) over to Perfect, and she had her shoe re-glued in about 5 minutes. Again it was only HKD20. On that last visit, I noticed a shoe stretching machine which I must use soon. I have a tight right which need to be addressed!