In February 2024, one of the oldest and most beloved Chestnut Hill businesses, longtime shop Carman’s Shoe Repair, closed its doors at 8111 Germantown Ave. Carman’s was founded 87 years earlier by Carmen Notarianni Sr. and was later operated by his son, Carmen Jr., who closed the business after being diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a chronic autoimmune disorder.

“I was told my left arm would not be functional for 12 months,” Carmen Jr. told the Local at the time. “I used to do so much myself, and you just can’t find any Tom, Dick or Harry to run this business. I just don’t have the strength and energy to run it anymore.”

But as the cliché goes, one man’s meat is another man’s poison. As there is no longer a shoe repair business in Chestnut Hill, several of Carman’s customers have taken their business to the closest shoe repair establishment, Ace Shoe Repair at 20 E. Mt. Airy Ave. Owner Willie Alston, 73, is also a longtime veteran of the business, having been in it for 55 years, including 19 years at Carman’s Shoe Repair before opening Ace 10 years ago with a partner, Naeem Iddeen.

“Despite my age,” Alston said in a recent interview, “I still work 10 to 12 hours a day. I am lucky to have good help. I do not take any medications, and I am still in good health. I may eventually cut back my hours, but as long as I am healthy, I will keep working. And of course, I am glad to have the customers who used to go to Carman’s.”

Ace repairs bags and belts as well as shoes. The overwhelming majority of the 32 customer reviews on yelp.com, the nation’s primary customer review business website, are five stars, the highest rating. For example, Anita M. of Flourtown, wrote recently, “I’ve taken so many boots and shoes here! They do excellent work and for a reasonable price.”

According to Mt. Airy resident Eric W. Clay: “I highly recommend this place. They have to be one of the best shoe cobblers in the entire city. I brought in my favorite pair of shoes. (I wear them daily; they had lots of wear.) Sole of the shoes had several large holes, and the leather was separated from the sides of the shoe. The owners were really friendly and told me what they would replace, and they charged me a fair rate, given the amount of work they needed to do on the shoes … I recommend anyone in Mt. Airy, Germantown and Chestnut Hill to use these guys. They are the best.”

Steve S., of Philadelphia, wrote, “I brought my son’s back pack in with a front pocket zipper that needed to be repaired. To my pleasant surprise, it was fixed on the spot, and the charge was very reasonable. Both Naeem and Willie were very courteous and friendly. This was my first time in the shop but will return for all such needs and will also tell neighbors about their professional work.”

After graduating from Bok Vocational High School in 1971, Alston went to work for United Shoe Repair at 21st and Sansom streets in Center City. He left after three years and later worked for the Happy Cobbler Shoe Repair Shop in Suburban Station and one called Moonlight before opening his own place at Germantown and Butler Street in Nicetown. Then came 19 years at Carman’s, until 2012.

Alston works six days a week. He lives near the sports stadiums in South Philly and goes to and from Mt. Airy every work day by public transportation. “The subway is fast,” he said, “so it does not take that long to go back and forth. I do not have to deal with crazy drivers on the road.” Some days, when the work is really backed up, he will leave for work at 4 a.m. because “there are no interruptions at that time.”

Alston, whose wife died eight years ago, has three children and 14 grandchildren. Unlike many people who have to travel long distances to visit their loved ones, his mother, brother, sister and aunt all live on the same block as he does. “It’s a nice neighborhood,” he said.

For more information, call 215-248-1359. Len Lear can be reached at lenlear@chestnuthilllocal.com.