Sole saver: Bill Wells stays busy as a cobbler

MCMURRAY, Pa. (AP) — Bill Wells has spent the past 33 years saving soles.

Wells is a cobbler, and the 81-year-old works seven days a week to repair shoes at his shop, Charles the Cobbler, in Krebs Professional Center in Peters Township.

He is, as far as he knows, the only cobbler left in Washington County, and the craftsman has his hands full. He repairs more than 300 pairs of shoes a week - changing heels, stretching shoes and replacing soles on everything from Jimmy Choos, Christian Louboutins and Cole Haans, to Birkenstocks, Timberlands and Adidas tennis shoes.

He also fixes purses, leather coats, luggage and belts.

"This industry is pretty much going away. There's nobody left to do this.