Meet Dave Berumen | Cobbler

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dave Berumen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dave, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
Fair Pricing and Fair Pay: I’m a reluctant capitalist. Although I own a business and participate in capitalism, I try to operate in a way that my early 20s anti-capitalist/punk self would respect. I want to be financially stable, not rich. And I want my employees to be paid well and feel appreciated.

Useful to our community: My business decisions are based on what services my community needs. San Bernardino County is one of the poorest counties in the US and I tailor my services with that in mind. As much as I would love to work on only high quality boots and bags, I want to be useful to people of every economic class.

Help customers live more sustainably: I want to give people a way to live more sustainably, while at the same time, supporting a small business. By choosing to repair instead of throwing away, we can help our customers reduce the amount of material they send to the landfill.

Keeping brands accountable: A knowledgeable consumer can change an industry. We take the time to explain to our customers what to look for when buying a pair of boots or leather bags, ensuring what they buy is high quality and repairable.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Shoe repair has been in decline for decades but many people still buy shoes and leather goods that can be repaired. Valley Shoe Repair is dedicated to keeping the trade alive while modernizing the experience for today’s customers. Our team of socially conscious and thoughtful creatives provide efficient customer service and affordable repairs. Through one on one consultations we help our customers make sustainable choices and empower them to make informed decisions.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
It would start on my front porch; I live at the base of a rocky mountain in a rustic old cabin. We have a group of friends that plays traditional bluegrass music, so we would have them over and play late into the night. In the morning we would climb the tallest rock formation we can find and have a lazy picnic on top.

The next day we’d go to the Food For Thought Cafe in Joshua Tree for breakfast and slowly make our way to every vintage store in the basin with the goal of a full new outfit, from boots to hat. We’d all wear our new outfits to catch a show (perhaps at The Palms, in Wonder Valley). We like to keep it down-home. That’s what people want when they come out to the desert: a slow-pace, local experience.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shout out to Pat Dennis, who taught me how to repair climbing shoes. When I rolled into Joshua Tree from Tulsa, Oklahoma in early 2012, I didn’t know anyone. Pat took a chance on me and hired me as an apprentice, paying me from the start. He encouraged me to start my own business when he retired. He borrowed money from his ex-wife to help me buy more modern shoe repair equipment and helped orchestrate the purchase of this full service shoe repair shop from the original owner. Pat was a constant source of knowledge and comfort during those early years. I wouldn’t have made it without him.

Website: www.valleyshoerepair.com

Instagram: @valleyshoerepair

Facebook: www.facebook.com/valleyshoerepair