New Kensington cobbler to hang up his tools after 66 years in business
Editor's note: As we reflect back on 2015, we think of many of the interesting and offbeat stories we've covered and ask ourselves, “Whatever happened to ...” As a result, we're publishing a series of articles updating stories covered by the Valley News Dispatch this year.
A cobbler may seem like an anachronistic profession, but Gene's Shoe Service in New Kensington was bustling a few days before Christmas.
A Sarver woman picked up five pairs of shoes that had been repaired. A New Kensington woman dropped off a purse and a pair of flats and promised to bring in another pair of shoes this week. An old-fashioned landline telephone rang with a customer inquiring about the business hours.
To each, 83-year-old Gene Montemurro had this reminder: “I'll be here till the 31st.”
Come Friday, the city will be without Gene's Shoe Service for the first time in 66 years.
It's been a roller-coaster year for Montemurro: He says his family convinced him to retire after he was robbed at gunpoint in his store on June 26. The attack left him unharmed, but he and his family were shaken.
Relying on video surveillance footage, police within a couple weeks of the robbery arrested two New Kensington teenagers: Nasir Howard, 16, and Carlito Dean Spence, 18.
According to court records, both teens pleaded guilty to robbery and conspiracy in Westmoreland County Court this fall. They each were sentenced to a maximum of 23 months in jail but were released based upon the time they served from their arrest to their sentencing — 113 days for Howard as of Oct. 28, and 148 days for Spence on Dec. 1.
American dream
But even before the pair was caught, the attack on a community icon spurred an outpouring of support. At an anti-crime rally on July 1, Montemurro led scores of people on a unity walk down Fifth Avenue.
The Valley Vikings football team presented him with a jersey honoring his 66 years in business, and Mayor Tom Guzzo proclaimed it “Gene Montemurro Day,” declaring him a “true expression of the American dream.”
In 1949, Montemurro was a 17-year-old Italian immigrant who'd been in America about three years when he took over a retiring cobbler's business. Between school during the day and learning English at night, he shined shoes to raise much of the $700 in start-up costs.
“A couple people told me I wouldn't last a year,” Montemurro reflected. “There were 36 cobblers (in the Alle-Kiski Valley) then. I'm the only one left.”
Montemurro believes the closest shoe repair businesses are near Greensburg and Fox Chapel. He said an Erie man who was apprenticing with him this year is not taking over his business, and Montemurro hasn't found anyone else to step in.
“I'm trying to get somebody interested” in the shoe business, his building or both, Montemurro said. “All over the country I'm searching.”
Montemurro said he especially worries about his customers who are disabled and need customized orthotics that he believes they'll pay more for elsewhere.
“They like my work and I'm reasonable,” he said when asked about his longevity.
Community advocate
Benita Horger, 64, of New Kensington not only likes Montemurro's work, but she credits him with much more: “He saved my dog's life.”
Horger said her childhood pet had chewed a pair of her new shoes — an act she believed would lead to the dog's demise once her mother found out.
Horger said Montemurro fixed the shoes and her mother was none the wiser.
Horger also credited Montemurro's advocacy with getting a traffic signal installed at the intersection of Route 56 and Craigdell Road after a serious accident involving his daughter years ago.
Other causes Montemurro championed included lobbying against the closure of Citizens General Hospital in New Kensington and asking city officials to stop forcing afternoon traffic on the Ninth Street Bridge to bear right onto Industrial Boulevard. He believes preventing cars from continuing on Ninth Street hurts downtown businesses.
Despite his recent troubles, Montemurro, who lives in neighboring Lower Burrell, had only good things to say about New Kensington.
“I wish them all the luck in the world,” he said. “I want to thank everybody. New Kensington has been good to me. I raised a family.”
Montemurro is quick to speak of his family and show visitors their pictures in a display case beside the counter. There's his wife, Mary; his daughters, Joanne Nicastro and Linda Wareham; his five grandchildren and four great-granddaughters.
Montemurro said his retirement will give him time to tend to his wife and his 30-by-60-foot garden, where he grows figs, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, brussels sprouts and broccoli.
“That I'll enjoy,” he said. “That will be my full-time.”
His retirement will be boosted by an online fundraising campaign that drew more than $4,000 in donations. It was launched by a stranger.
Montemurro seemed amazed by the response his retirement has garnered. He showed a reporter cards, small gifts and mementos people have given him.
In addition to a purse and a pair of shoes that needed to be repaired, Horger brought Montemurro a gift.
“Gene, I love you,” Horger said. “I'm sorry you're leaving, but I'm happy for you.”
When asked what he'll miss most about his work, tears welled in his eyes and Montemurro quietly said, “My customers.”
Liz Hayes is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-226-4680 or lhayes@tribweb.com.
