About 80 miles southwest of downtown Chicago, at the junction of the Illinois and Fox Rivers, you will find a city that is synonymous with the history of barge traffic in the state. Ottawa bills itself as “The Middle of Everywhere,” because, as the seat of LaSalle County, it is uniquely positioned in close proximity to a wide range of historical and cultural attractions in Illinois. It is in Ottawa’s charming downtown that you will find a special place, Tino’s Shoe and Boot Repair, located on West Main Street, which has been a staple in this community for decades. Once owned by Tino Rubio, the shop is now in the hands of his grandson, Tyler Ahrendsen, who carries on his grandfather’s legacy of giving new life to worn-out shoes, boots, and leather goods.

Tyler’s passion for the craft is evident in his approach to the business.

“I decided to pursue this career, because I love seeing things that were broken leave my shop repaired with a happy customer,” Tyler shared with pride.

Tyler’s dedication to his trade seems to be matched by his appreciation for the tools of the trade, some of which are more than a century old.

“The oldest machine in here is a Singer 29K from 1906. It is a treadle sewing machine, and it’s still going strong. It is the main sewing machine in the shop,” Tyler explained. “I don’t see any reason to replace it, as it’s built like a tank and still works strong.”

For Tyler, the shop represents enduring values of craftsmanship and tradition.

“I think one of the lessons for retailers here is just because something is old doesn’t mean it’s worthless. I don’t have any experience with anything newer than these things,” Tyler admitted with a chuckle, highlighting his deep connection to the same equipment his grandfather used for decades.

Tino’s lays a foundation

The story of Tino’s Shoe Repair began in 1970 when Tino Rubio opened his doors to customers in Ottawa.

“My grandfather, Tino, started working for his friend’s father’s shoe repair and general store,” recalled Tyler. “He (Tino) eventually took it over.”

Tino Rubio quickly became a beloved figure in Ottawa, known not only for his craftsmanship, but also for his friendly nature.

“My grandfather was an easygoing guy that just about everyone knew, either through business or because he played pool,” Tyler said with loving a smile.

For Tyler, Tino was more than his grandfather. Tino was a mentor and a storyteller.

“He used to drive me around town and point at every single person, telling me their name and exactly what they got done for their shoes,” shared Tyler with a smile.

Tyler’s own journey into the family business began when he was a teenager.

“My mother just told me, ‘Why don’t you go see if your grandfather needs any help down at the shop?’ Which he (Tino) let me work on cowboy boots,” Tyler remembered that his first day was a mix of uncertainty and encouragement.

“First day working on shoes, I think I just kind of sat around thinking I was doing things wrong, only for my grandfather to reassure me that I was doing things correct,” Tyler said with confidence in his voice.

Tino’s passion for his work was infectious. He believed in the value of repairing even the smallest items, according to his grandson.

“He (Tino) had a story about a customer bringing in Winnie the Pooh slippers and was overjoyed when they were fixed. It didn’t matter that they were a five dollar pair of slippers. He enjoyed fixing just about anything if he could,” said Tyler. “And it’s the same with me.”

That philosophy of care and craftsmanship became a guiding principle for Tyler, who spent his high school years and beyond helping his grandfather at the shop.

“I used to come here in my free time during high school, and a couple of years after high school, until I joined the U.S. Army,” explained Tyler. “I was in the 4th Infantry, working in small arms and artillery repair.

“In the military, I was fixing small arms and artillery, mostly rifles and mortars. Here, I’m fixing shoes,” Tyler said with a laugh. “I like working with my hands, fixing just about anything.”

Perhaps this may come as a surprise to you, because it was to us, but Tyler said he finds shoe repair to more hazardous than his life in the military.

“You might think working on weapons might be more dangerous than working shoe repair. But, I’ve sanded my hands in this shop more often than I hurt my hands in the army,” joked Tyler.

The military also instilled a sense of routine that proved invaluable in running the shop, according to Tyler.

“In the military, I used to wake up in zero dark 30 (5:30 a.m.), as we used to call it. If it wasn’t for the Army, I’d probably sleep until noon. The military gave me the discipline to help run this shop,” admitted Tyler with a slight grin.

“After the military, I quickly came back here, working for my grandfather before he passed away,” said Tyler. “It was the two of us for a few years, giving me valuable experience before he passed away.

“My grandfather always loved that I took an interest in his work,” Tyler said, his voice filled with gratitude.

Tino’s can fix it

Tyler’s expertise extends far beyond just fixing shoes.

“I can work on all sorts of things in here. Work boots, soles, coat zippers, cowboy boots, heels, women’s heels, purse straps, belts,” explained Tyler listing off the many items that arrive at his store.

“I get a lot of women bringing in purses for zippers, straps, snaps, and magnets,” added Tyler.

The shop itself sits quietly in the back of his grandmother’s antique store in the heart of downtown on West Main Street.

“My grandmother tries to have a variety of antiques out front,” explained Tyler.“ This street is the antique district of Ottawa.

“We get calls about our antiques all the time. Some people don’t even know that I repair shoes in here. Some people just think this is just an antique shop,” said Tyler with a laugh. “They don’t even have any shoes they want me to fix.”

The confusion even extends to the shop’s iconic and old fashioned sign.

“I can’t tell you how many people have tried to buy the shoe repair sign in the window. They think it’s for sale. They think it’s an antique, but it’s not,” shared Tyler amused by the mix-up.

While the antiques add character to the shop, Tyler’s true passion lies in his craft.

“My focus is on the shoe side, not the antique side,” Tyler explained. “I like working on shoes because every shoe is a new challenge. I like trying to solve that challenge.”

Tyler also knows full well that his work can truly make a difference in his customers daily lives.

“If your shoes are too worn out, they can cause foot issues. And I don’t want anyone to be in pain,” Tyler explained.

Tyler also offers practical advice the help his customers make their shoes, and work boots last.

“The secret to keeping a pair of boots a long time is keeping them clean and conditioned,” advised Tyler. “Most people coming in here look to have their soles or heels replaced. When it comes to shoe repair, I definitely try to fix everything. I like knowing that my work is making a difference.”

Tyler said there used to be a half dozen or so cobblers in LaSalle County, but that he is the last shop of his kind still running.

“It’s important to have shoe repair in the county because people are still wearing shoes and they still wear out. Last I checked, it costs more to buy quality shoes than to repair the old ones that you have.

“The world might be trending towards more technology, but there’s enough farmers and construction workers wearing cowboy boots and work boots that I have a career, and I’m thankful for that.”