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More than half a century of solid footing...

Clockwise from top right; Assistant Manager Kauri Taylor-Cook talks signature work, Sale Manager Kyla Ness says Rip’s Cleats has customers around the globe, and the peachy cobbler himself - Frank Ripley. SUMMER

ALL SOLE: Increasing traction, as only shoe cobbler from here to Alaska

Frank Ripley has been knockin’ on all kinds of boots throughout the Peace and beyond for more than 50 years.

He’s the the only cobbler from here to Alaska.

In the 70s, Ripley attended 10 months of cobbler school in Vancouver before setting up Rip’s Shoe Re-Nu and Cleats in Dawson Creek. His first cleat clients were Mile Zero seniors, using his patented designs.

“We’ve had some very good years over the years, we’ve done very well. Other companies will come up with different products or copies, and they get made in China,” said Ripley.

“A lot of people don’t realize how big we are, we ship to the US, Russia. This operation has great people, there’s value in it and it keeps them busy.”

Today, the business has worldwide reach, with cleats even being used by an exploration team in Antarctica, says assistant manager Kauri TaylorCook, adding there may be an opportunity through the Co-op to get their goods to the North Pole as well.

Taylor-Cook says five people currently staff their cleat warehouse - seniors, retirees, and part-time workers mastering the craft in a family-like atmosphere.

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