Sole Man

Brian brought my favorite pair of shoes back to life. New soles and heels, now they look better than new and ready for another 5-10 years! Brian's pride in his craft is evident by the high quality of work. Also his shop has a really nice selection of new and gently used shoes for purchase. You won't find anyone more knowledgeable about the product they're selling at any store, anywhere!

Very cool shop for the savvy shoe enthusiast. Excellent selection, knowledge, and support. Back again and another fantastic experience. The owner is very knowledgeable and will find exactly what suits your needs. Very reasonable prices considering what quality products are carried..Berwick, beautiful, and definitely the most comfortable shoe I've ever worn. Don't be confused when Brian tells you your shoe size and it's not what you thought. He is correct, amazing fit. Works of art for your feet!

I called sole man about fixing a pair of cowboy boots that I just hated. The sole was too thick the heel was too large and chunky, this man took the boots I hated and went above and beyond. He took down the sole and filled it with a much better material. He also took down the heel perfectly. It’s legitimately a whole new boot. It’s everything I could have asked for. This man went above and beyond and I can’t recommend him enough. 100/10

I’ve been relying on Sole Man since moving back to Buffalo in 2018. The quality of his work is outstanding, his repairs stand the test of use and he is super up front about what he can do as well as what he can’t. In a world where vendors increasingly don’t care too much about quality and the value of things is more about what folks are willing to pay for it than the work and skill and materials put into the thing Brian stands out. I’d never take my stuff anywhere else! ♡

I've been going to the Sole Man for a couple of years now. Here are my 3 takeaways: 1. BERWICK SHOES: Attached are photos. Brian Gavigan is the only US stockist of this Spanish brand. Last year I bought a couple pairs, and they quickly became the workhorses of my rotation. I own dress shoes from several different brands, many of which are from Spain (in the shoe world, Spain is a cradle of quality men's shoes). The Berwicks, however, punch way above their weight. The quality of materials, construction, and fit well surpass Allen Edmonds and even Alden in some aspects, and for a fraction of the price. Not to mention, Brian will always drop what he's doing to help you find the right pair with the correct fit. Just listen to him. 2. OWNER: Brian himself is a real diamond in the ruff, and Buffalo is blessed to have him. This industry is shrinking, and many cities throughout the US don't even have a cobbler. Brian is a master craftsman, he's won awards internationally, and his work is second-to-none. What most people don't realize is that for the quality of work he does, cobblers in other cities would charge twice whatever he charges you. Simply put, he's just a great guy who believes in a successful Buffalo. 3. STOREFRONT: I'd be remised if I didn't mention the shop itself, because Sole Man is so much more than just fixing your shoes (which he's the best at, by the way). It's the coolest shop on Elmwood. Gently used, quality shoes are sold alongside the new Berwicks. There's also a women's section aptly named "Sole Mate." Stop buying and throwing out your shoes every year. Go to the Sole Man and get a pair that will last you for years and years. For all of the one star reviewers, there is probably another side of the story that was completely omitted. I myself am a fiery Italian, and I get along great with the Sole Man.

Our wedding was on March 31st and I called Brian the week before because the custom, engraved leather cuff I had ordered online as a surprise for my husband was sent to me much later than expected and with the incorrect spelling. Brian welcomed me into his shop and assured me the cuff was something he could create. Thanks to Brian, I surprised my husband with the bracelet on our wedding day - it was beautifully crafted and far superior to the original bracelet I had ordered. Thank you, Brian, for your excellent customer service and for making our wedding day that much more memorable!

I took Brian my all-time favorite sandals that looked good no matter if I was going to the beach in shorts or going to a sporty casual dinner in khaki pants. Packing for a cruise my GF would bring a dozen pairs of shoes and I was set just bringing these sandals and a pair of black wingtips for formal night. I could walk for miles with no blisters... I had taken them everywhere for over 10 years and I thought that there was no hope for them to be saved. The insole was totally disintegrated and there was next to nothing left of the outsole. The only part that was still in good shape was the leather upper. A good friend of mine suggested that I take them to Brian at Sole Man to see if he could refurbish them, because he had done a great job on an old pair of shoes for him. That turned out to be great advice, because Brian did an amazing job and gave me back my favorite sandals looking and feeling like brand new! While I was there, I also got a guided tour of his cool & unique shoe store. Brian is a master at his craft. If you need your shoes brought back to life, or you want to pick up a new pair of shoes, go see Brian at Sole Man!