Houston Shoe Hospital has seen an increase in customers looking for shoe and leather repairs since the store's opening in January.

The company was established by the Maida family in Houston in 1906, and it has been salvaging high-prized footwear ever since, store manager Juste Bradley said.

The Woodlands location is the ninth store under the management of owner Steve Kelly, Bradley said.

"Most of our work is done in-house," Bradley said. "Most shops can't do the sole and heel work that we can do. Nobody in the world has the dye facility that we have. We can dye items just like they are coming out of a factory."

Bradley said women's high heels and men's work boots rank among the most commonly repaired footwear, but he said the store also repairs other leather items.

"Anything leather. Handbags, briefcases, wallets, belts, baseball gloves, chaps," Bradley said. "We just fixed a pair of ladies' chaps last week."

Prices can range from a $6 shoeshine to more than $100 for extensive sole and heel repair or replacement, Bradley said.

"Repairs we usually take two to three days; soles and heels we usually ask for about four days," Bradley said. "We basically assess the shoe and try to educate the customer on their shoes and what they can do to make them last longer."

Houston Shoe Hospital, 202 Sawdust Road, Ste. 101, Spring 832-948-1040, www.houstonshoehospital.com