The beginning

Jim's great uncle Jacob High owned a shoe repair shop in Anderson, IN in the early 1900s. He was the first family member in the trade.

Continuing the Trade

Lewis McFarland was trained by his uncle Jacob and founded East Avenue Shoe Repair in 1918 in Hamilton, OH.

Next in Succesion

James R. McFarland Sr. grew up in the trade and opened his shop in St. Petersburg Florida. In 1967, George Jenkins and Joe Blanton convinced him to move his store to their new Searstown Shopping Center in Lakeland.

The current age

  • A new generation

    James R. McFarland II learned the trade from his father and took over the business in 1986 when his father fell ill.

  • Legacy of greatness

    Under Jim’s guidance, McFarland’s Shoe Repair has become internationally known for its craftsmanship. Jim has received more than 20 awards for excellent craftsmanship in the United States and Canada. As well as 3 gold medals and 2 silver medals across Europe. In 2002, he won the Shoe Service Institute of America’s Grand Silver Cup – the top award for craftsmanship in the United States. Jim continues to set the standard for craftsmanship to this day as the head judge in the Silver Cup Contest.

  • Where we are today

    Jim is currently training his nephew, Kyle Crouse. His son and daughter, Riley and Victoria McFarland are bringing a modern spin to the business with their online presence. Together they represent the fifth generation of the McFarland family in the shoe repair trade.