Most Corpus Christi natives have a story or two about the Mall Shoe Service business. More than likely, it’s where your grandparents or parents — and now you — have taken old boots to be resoled or a bag to be sewn. With a drive-up window connected to the exterior of La Palmera Mall, the repair business has brought new life to its customers’ items for decades.
Once inside, behind the service counter wall, you’ll find a four-legged stool perched next to a sewing machine. That is where owner Jesse Ruiz can be found most days — surrounded by shoes, purses and belts of all shapes, sizes and colors; cutting threads and sewing seams back together. Each piece tells its own story, and Ruiz treats them with the utmost care, understanding the sentimental value they hold.
Ruiz’s shop, known for its family-oriented approach, has thrived on quality workmanship and customer loyalty. Despite challenges most small business owners face, such as surviving a temporary closure during the pandemic, the business continues to operate with his sons’ help. Sam is often at the service window, welcoming customers; Rick can be found replacing soles here and buffing shoes there; and Jesse Jr. pitches in when he can. All help to keep the family legacy going strong.
For Ruiz, being a good repairman and family man means more than a job title; it’s a legacy he’s proud to pass down.
Kylie Cooper: I read that you worked on your first pair of shoes when you were just 7 years old. I’d love to learn more about your career journey from a shoe shiner to a decades-long business owner.
Jesse Ruiz: Yes, I started polishing shoes when I was 7 because my father told me to. It was a good way to make extra money for our family. I went to work with Mr. Frank Dehay and he took me in. I learned a lot from him and in fact, he’s who sold me the shop at Parkdale. From there, I opened the Mall Shoe Service when the mall was still Padre Staples Mall in 1974, and we’ve been here ever since.
KC: I’d imagine this line of work requires very meticulous skills and care. Would you say that rings true for you?
JR: Oh yes, you have to be very exact with this kind of work, and I like that because it keeps you focused. It forces you to do good work — measurements have to be exact, lines have to be straight. People are bringing us their nice items, things that mean something to them, and we’re responsible for giving them new life. You have to be really careful with something like that.
KC: How has the craft of shoe repair evolved, particularly with new materials and technology?
JR: You know, for us, it’s pretty much the same. We’ve gotten better machines over the years, but the biggest change is how the shoes are actually made. There is a lot of plastic and just cheaper materials in shoes now, which is different from working mostly on leather for so long.
KC: What does serving multiple generations in a community mean to you?
JR: It feels so good. You know, we are committed to quality work and we guarantee everything we do. The community has been so good to us, and they know when they bring us something, we’ll fix it without question. We’ve had people come in here and say, ‘Oh, when I was young, I used to come here with my mother,’ and now they are here years later to get their own shoes repaired. That means a lot to us — it means we do good work, but it also means people care about this business. We even have people who have moved away but still come back to repair items with us.
KC: Is there a particular moment or milestone in your business journey you’re especially proud of?
JR: Staying in business for 50 years is big, but really what I am the most proud of is that my family has stuck around after all these years and continued to work here. That’s a good accomplishment. My son Sam is running the window and repairing things, my son Rick is here and my other son Jesse Jr. helps too.
KC: Was it always important for you to run such a family-oriented business?
JR: Well, I wouldn’t have been able to make it this long without my sons. Running a family business means we all depend on each other, and support one another. We have a big family — I think we have like 23 great-grandkids now — and because of this business, a trickle-down effect happens where a lot of mouths have been fed and kids have been able to go to school, you know, because of us all working in this business. And now that I am semi-retired, I know the business is still in good hands.
KC: What are some of the most surprising or unusual repair requests you’ve ever received?
JR: We’ve repaired Santa’s boots!
KC: What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself when you first acquired this business?
JR: I think I would tell myself to take more breaks, to rest more. And to take time to get out and travel.
KC: What is the secret behind almost 50 years of business?
JR: I really like to come to work. I’ve always loved the repair business; this is my trade. So, that helps you to keep going. But really, the secret is just hard, good work. Satisfying the customer is so important and we do our best to make sure people are happy with our services. Always be courteous to your customers, greet people and ask them how they’re doing. It goes a long way. Oh, and make sure you get a good bookkeeper.
Contact:
5488 S. Padre Island Drive # 1578 | (361) 992-1885
