Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-01-22
SECONDHAND SHOES.
Where They Come From. Where They Are
Sold, and What They Cost.

Nearly everything is sold at second
hand in New York says the San. 1t
is easy to understand why there is a
market for finery. for pianos. for jewel
", aud for clothing, for which prices
are hi gh, and vary n great deal. but
shoes are sold so cheapiy when new
that trade in shoes at second hand
should be small. Yet it is 4 fact that
there is very large trade in second
hand boots aud shoes, mostly shoes.
because boots are worn by few at
present. The secondhand shoe stores
are in easements in the poorest quart
ers of the city. They are generally in
the neighborhood Of secondhand cloth
ing stores, but are distinct from them.
Sometimes however, bargains in
secondhand shoes are to be found in
secondhand clothing stores. but they
are odd pairs. and an assortment is
seldom supplied. On the east side and
in the First ward are many second
hand shoe stores, and in the bend at
Sixth avenue and Carmine street is
quite 4 colony. Many of them are
kept by Hebrews, and almost invari-
ably the proprietor is u cohbler, who
occupies his time mCnding shoes, either
for his own customers or some other
shop. All sorts and sizes of shoes, rep
Tesentin@ the fashions of the past ten
years or longer, may be found for ali
ages and both sexes They are kept
clearly BACKED.
Many OF these shoes are from ash
barrels and garbage boxes. having been
discarded as past the worth Of mcnd-
ING. About the first of May there is Il
harvest of old shoes thrown out by
tidy housckecpers and picked up by the
rawpickcTs, VINO send them to the
secondhand shops. Many men buy
cheap shoes pUrposcly. because they do
not like to wear shoes Il long time.
They discard them without half SOL
inc. As long as shoes are rGpairable
on the upners they are Of service to
the secondhand men, who patiently
patch and mend them and make them
worth selling.
Some Of the secondhand shoe shops
are patrouized by Hebrews, others by
Italians, and some by colorcd people.
Many servants get shoes from their
employers and have them mended,
thereby getting better articles than
they could afford to buy new.
The prices Of these secondhand
shoes are low. 1t is almost rule that
the price shall be only trile more
than the cost Of mending. Twenty
five cents Il pair is not an unusual
price. A dollar Il pair is Il large price.
The cost of shoes is one Of the heaviest
burdens to poor families. Old clothes
may be handed down from one gener-
alton to another, or made over, but
the shoes require cash outlay all the
time, and the amount of shoe leather
that can be stamped out by healthy
youngsters is appalling.
There is Il steady trade in second
hand shoes among pedd}ers. They
eagerly bargain for OLD shoes rs they
travel through the country. Many OF
the best shoes in the secondhand shops
are bought by colored people, who are
inclined to be particular about their
footwear. In the best secondhand
Stores may be found soiIcd fancy shoes
for women, relics of the stage, or tie
cast-oH tinery Of the rich. Such shoes
often reappear in east side bathrooms.
Most Of the customers of the second
hand shoe shops are thrifty persons
who have fair incomes. but are saving
money for some purpose, and do not
Gisdain to economic by buying second
hand articles