Publication: The Washington Times
Publication Date: 02-APR-04

Byline: Tim Lemke, THE WASHINGTON TIMES

You are walking down the city street, poised and confident, the $400 Prada suede pumps purchased just last week - your "hire me now" shoes - providing an aura of invincibility.

And that is the moment when you step right into a pothole. With a snap, you lose a heel, and a shot at that job.

Greg Brown can save the day, and, perhaps more important, those expensive shoes. Just give him a few hours to work his magic.

Mr. Brown is the master specialist at Fortuna's, a shoe and luggage repair shop located on Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda. Since 1979, he has been replacing broken heels, worn-out soles and handbag straps for thousands of customers unwilling to part with a prized possession that has seen better times.

"We could have upwards of 100 pairs of shoes here, plus all the purses and luggage," Mr. Brown says, as he handles an old pair of Gucci flats....

NOTE: All illustrations and photos have been removed from this article.