Local legend Rafaelle “Ralph” Rotella has been in the shoe-cobbling business in Downtown Syracuse for more than 50 years, becoming a beloved and respected member of the community.
Ralph took over the family business after his father passed away.Rotella makes sure that he keeps busy, maintaining a strong work ethic.Rafaelle, or Ralph, works on many different types of shoes, to include dress shoes, house shoes, boots, even sneakers.Rotella’s cluttered shop is full of all sorts of items that he has accumulated over the years — giving his workspace a unique and recognizable personality.Rotella uses vintage tools, like s-shaped hammers and shoe-cobbling pliers, that are fit to tackle any type of shoe he encounters.Some of Ralph’s regular customers come by occasionally just to joke around with Ralph, even when they don’t need any work on their shoes.Ralph never fails to interact with people, which speaks to his overall personality. Many people deem him as a “legend” within the Syracuse community.Rotella accepts donations of old or worn shoes, which he repairs and gives back to people in need. By the end of 2022, his business had collected and distributed more than 34,000 pairs.Rotella conducts radio interviews with local stations each Tuesday morning, during which he promotes his business and breaks news on upcoming events.Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh presents Ralph with his own day, December 15, 2022, “Ralph ‘The Shoe Repair Man’ Rotella Day.”
