Even though our community doesn’t bat an eyelash when Starbucks Coffee Shops open across the street from one another (until they close, that is ), it’s a little surprising to see two bootmakers going head-to-head so close to each other.

But that’s what’s happening on the corner of Hamilton & Meridian, where “The Good Cobbler” now sees some competition opening up across the street. M Herrera Bootmaker returns to the neighborhood next door to Goodwill, replacing the dollar store that came and went a few months ago, next to San Jose Cafe.

So, if your shoes are so worn that you can’t cross the street, you’re all set!

In fact, there have been a plethora of bootmakers in WG over the years, including an earlier Herrera Bootmaker location further north. The older of the two shops at Meridian & Hamilton also used to be known as AAA Bootmaker (and maybe even Quality Bootmaker). And don’t forget the bootmaker located next to Elva’s Coffee Stop, at WG’s Four Corners, which was Lincoln Avenue’s second cobbler before Amato’s Shoe Repair shop closed south of Malone.