★ 40+ Years Family Legacy

Master Shoe Repair & Leather Restoration in Lake County

Carrying on the family craftsmanship established by Henry Russian. Convenient drop-off options in Lake Forest (Mornings) and Grayslake (Afternoons).

Find Nearest Location Request an Estimate

Two Convenient North Shore Locations

Drop off your shoes, boots, golf bags, or handbags in the morning at Lake Forest or in the late afternoon at Grayslake.

Slick Shine

Lake Forest, IL
Morning Drop-Off
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Inside Metra Train Station
710 N. McKinley Rd
Lake Forest, IL 60045
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Business Hours:
Tuesday:9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Wednesday:9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Thursday:9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Friday:9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Saturday:9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Sun / Mon:Closed
Call Lake Forest Google Maps ↗

Henry's Shoe Repair

Grayslake, IL
Afternoon Drop-Off
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Grayslake Shop
240 N Barron Blvd
Grayslake, IL 60030
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Business Hours:
Tuesday:2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday:2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Thursday:2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Friday:2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Sat / Sun / Mon:Closed
Call Grayslake Google Maps ↗

Craftsman Repair & Restoration Services

From high-end dress shoes, boots, and Birkenstocks to golf bags, handbags, and fine leather goods.

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Shoe & Boot Resoling

Master resoling for dress shoes, boots, casual footwear, and Birkenstocks.

  • Full & half sole replacements (Leather, Vibram®, Rubber)
  • Birkenstock resoling, cork footbed repair & sealing
  • Goodyear welt re-stitching
  • Protective rubber sole guards (Sole Savers)
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Heel Repair & Rebuilding

Fix worn heels, broken heel tips, and damaged heel stacks.

  • Men's & women's rubber & leather heel replacement
  • High-heel tip replacement & dowel repair
  • Stacked leather heel rebuilding
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Golf Bags, Handbags & Luggage

Expert restoration for golf bags, designer handbags, totes, briefcases, and luggage.

  • Golf bag repairs (straps, zippers, hardware & pockets)
  • Handbag zipper repair & full replacement
  • Strap shortening, re-stitching & replacement
  • Hardware, clasp, ring & buckle repairs
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Belts & Leather Accessories

Custom fitting and durable repair for leather goods and equipment.

  • Belt shortening & custom hole punching
  • Buckle & hardware replacement
  • Leather jacket minor seam & zipper repairs
  • Briefcase handle reinforcement
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Shoe Shine, Polish & Conditioning

Protect your leather investment with deep conditioning and wax polishing.

  • Hand-buffed wax shoe shines
  • Deep leather moisturizing & salt stain removal
  • Scuff hiding & color touch-up restoration
  • Weatherproofing & water-repellent protection
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Custom Stretching & Comfort Fit

Relieve pinching or tight spots for a comfortable, custom fit.

  • Professional boot & shoe width stretching
  • Instep & toe box expansion
  • Heel pad & cushion installation
  • Orthopedic lifts & build-ups

How It Works

Simple, straightforward service designed around your schedule.

1

Drop Off

Bring your items to Lake Forest in the morning (Tue–Sat 9-12) or Grayslake in the afternoon (Tue–Fri 2:30-5:30).

2

Expert Inspection

Richard inspects your items, prices out an estimate, confirms the work needed, and provides an estimated turnaround time.

3

Pick Up & Enjoy

Pick up your expertly restored shoes, boots, or bags when ready and enjoy years of added life!

Over 40 Years of Craftsmanship

Carrying on the family tradition founded by Henry Russian.

🎬 Inside Lake Forest Feature: Watch Richard Russian discuss the art of shoe repair and carrying on his father Henry's legacy.

Request an Estimate or Have Questions?

Have a question about a repair? Submit your details below or call your nearest location!

Allowed formats: JPG, PNG, WEBP, HEIC. Max 3 photos.
Tip: You can also bring items directly into either location during business hours for an instant in-person estimate!

Frequently Asked Questions

Find fast answers to common questions about repairs, drop-offs, and turnarounds.

Lake Forest (Slick Shine): Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Closed Sunday & Monday.
Grayslake (Henry's Shoe Repair): Tuesday through Friday from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Closed Saturday, Sunday & Monday.
No, we do not completely dye shoes or change their color. However, we can touch up scuffs and wear using the exact same color, as well as apply deep conditioning and polish to restore your leather back to its original shade.
Yes! We offer full cork Birkenstock resoling and recrafting. We repair & seal cork footbeds, replace worn outsoles, and repair straps and buckles so you don't have to break in a new pair.
Yes! Given the popularity of golf across Lake Forest and Grayslake, we repair golf bags including fixing worn straps, torn pockets, broken zippers, and hardware replacement.
The fastest way to get an exact estimate is to bring your items directly to either store during business hours. You can also fill out our online Estimate Request Form and Richard will reach out to you.
Yes! Because Richard operates both locations, you can drop off your items at whichever location is most convenient and let him know if you need to transfer pick-up to the other location.
In addition to footwear, we repair golf bags, leather handbags, purses, luggage, briefcases, belts, zipper replacements, leather jacket seams, and custom shoe stretching.
Turnaround time depends on the complexity of the repair and current shop volume. Minor repairs or shines may be completed quickly, while complete resoles or complex bag repairs typically take a few days to a week. Richard will give you a clear estimate when you drop off your items.