Neighborhood businesses you should frequent

1. Your cobbler. I have a cobbler in walking distance and she and I are on first-name basis. If you have special shoe needs - perhaps your feet are as wide as Yetti's? Ahem - your cobbler can help. Cobblers can:
- Stretch leather shoes to fit: widen the toe box, raise the instep.
- Add arch support
- Re-heel worn dress shoes
- Lighten running shoes (including adjusting heel padding): a good cobbler will remove foam and reattach the outersole without affecting the balance of the shoe; if your shoes do not match within a couple of millimeters your gate will be affected so use a cobbler you trust.
- Repair non-shoe items like luggage, purses, saddles, and belts. Mine has replaced broken clasps and straps as well.
2. Your used book store. Most will work out a trade with you: You can bring in books you've read and swap them for "new" ones. By the way, a gift certificate to a used book store is a fantastic gift.
3. Your consignment shop. Slightly more upscale than the Salvation Army, clothing swaps or consignment stores can be a good source for pricey designer clothes or a specific brand. Banana Republic no longer makes their Ryan style pants (my favorite), but the owner of a consignment store nearby has promised to keep her eyes open for my size. She's found two of my favorite pairs, and both cost less than $10.
4. Your pharmacy. Definitely bring your pharmacist fresh coffee and the occasional King cake.* It will pay off when you have a UTI at 9 pm on a Friday and your pharmacist willingly gets yelled at by hunting your doctor down at his daughter's deb party so he can be (forced) to call in a prescription for you. Or just if you have the kind of health question that is complicated and time-consuming, but you want a professional to do a little research for you. Just how common are blood-disorders in people taking Zantac over the counter?
5. The farmer's market. Make friends with the vendors. They might give you some extra produce or day-old bread for French toast. They might also save the last Boston lettuce for you if you tell them you might be running late.
6. The running store. They may not have the lowest prices, but they have the most expertise and the best answers to your questions. Plus they probably have a bulletin board with upcoming events; they might have a running group; some have free seminars and training. Go hang out there, it smells like new shoes.
* I'm working tonight. I'd appreciate a snack.