Resilient North Carolina shoe repair shop aided by relief grant

Max Henson Updated
Max Henson

Staff Writer

Apr 14, 2021

Pattie Johnson had every reason to call it quits.

The owner of a small shoe repair shop in Lumberton, North Carolina nearly lost her business a year after opening due to the destruction of Hurricane Matthew, which wreaked havoc on the town.

“Hurricane Matthew came and, whew, it shut me down for two years,” Johnson said. “It took me so long to repair the shop from the floods.”

Her doors reopened in October of 2019. Then came the COVID-19 pandemic in March of 2020. 

“We were just recovering when COVID came,” Johnson said.

Johnson wasn’t sure her business could survive yet another major obstacle in such quick succession.

“I almost threw in the towel,” Johnson admitted, “but a little voice in my head said, ‘No. The county doesn’t have a shoe repair shop. Give it another try.’”

Johnson has cared for people throughout her life. She was a nurse assistant for 20 years before retiring and opening her shop with money passed down by her aunt. Johnson’s warmth and kindness are a staple in the community. She takes pride in fixing shoes, pocketbooks and jackets so customers can get more use out of their items. 

“People are always looking for Miss Pattie,” she said with a laugh.

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But with business severely hampered by COVID, folks in the community were concerned Pattie’s Shoe Repair might disappear.

Johnson was determined to avoid that very real possibility, using her retirement money to keep things afloat. And when she learned of an emergency relief grant opportunity through Lowe’s and Local Initiatives Support Coalition (LISC), she wondered if she might be able to get some help.

“I’m thinking, ‘Is this for real?’ I didn’t want to get my hopes up,” Johnson said. “I figured there’s only one way to find out, let’s try and see.”

It wasn’t long before Johnson learned she would be receiving a $20,000 small business grant. That didn’t truly sink in until she was able to see the funds with her own eyes in September.

“I looked at the balance in my business account and there it was,” Johnson said. “I cried. I prayed. I cried.”

The grant helped Johnson catch up with her bills and she was able to invest in safety precautions to re-open the shop.

“It helped me get back on track and now I’m able to make ends meet,” Johnson said. “Business is starting to pick up again.”

Johnson encountered more adversity in March when she underwent a 14-hour surgery to remove a tumor from her mouth. 

But she’s resilient. She continues to persevere.

She’s as tough as the shoe leather she works with. 

“Don’t give up, no matter what,” Johnson said of her mindset. “You just have to keep going.”

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