The History of Keosa Brothers Shoe Repair

Keosa Shoe Repair has provided customers in and around Fitchburg, Massachusetts with high-quality workmanship, and they have been kind by returning time and time again.

Mihran Keosian founded Keosa Brothers Shoe Repair in 1921 with his brother, who left it shortly for another business. The original location was on Day Street in Fitchburg, where the store remained until 2000. Mihran was a foresighted businessman, as shown by the neon sign of the shoe that hung outside the store since 1923. It was the first neon sign in Fitchburg, and is considered a local landmark.

Mihran's son, Stephen P. Keoseian Sr., took over the business in March 1970. Stephen Sr. now works part-time, having turned the shop over to Stephen P. Keoseian Jr. in January 2000.

For Steven Keoseian Jr., cobbling is a labor of love. He is the third generation of craftsmen to work on shoes day in and day out. "I love working on shoes," Steve said. "I enjoy seeing the outcome of my work when what I start with is an old pair of shoes."

On July 1, 2000, a big move was made when the doors were closed on Day Street and a new Keosa Brothers was opened at its current location on 201 Lunenburg Street in Fitchburg, less than a mile from Day Street.

While the business was built on walk-in customers and connections with shoe manufacturers, Stephen Jr. notes that the mail-in business, started in 1995, now accounts for more than half of the business.