Video: New Local Industries Impact Columbus Shoe Shop

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)-The construction of the Yokohama tire Plant will bring more than 1,200 workers to our area. That’s great news for the businesses that serve them. One Columbus man has made a career out of keeping construction workers safely on their feet. Tommy Coggins is in the business of shoe repair and replacement. Through the years, he’s seen styles come and go. With so much construction in our area, work books have become his specialty.

“I was here when Wyerhouser came to town and most of the industries. I’ve been around 36 years and I’ve seen a lot of them come in. People come to me from just about all over the United States,” says Tommy Coggins.

When construction workers come to the Golden triangle to help build industries such as Severstal and Yokohama tires…Coggin’s Shoe Shop is one of the places they come for boot repairs.

“The way they work they wear boots out pretty regular so I’ve patched them up and resoled them and had to sale them some new ones when they get so far you couldn’t fix them,” says Coggins.

As footwear evolved, Coggins was forced to sell more boots than he repairs.

“A lot of boots you can’t fix anymore. That’s why 75% of my business is boot sales now. So many of them now got your modest soles you just can’t hardly work on them,” says Coggins.

As Yokohama construction workers get closer to finishing the West Point area plant, they will have to find somewhere else to get their boots repaired…Tommy Coggin’s is closing his Shoe Shop in November. He plans to enjoy his retirement. Yokohama should start on construction in late September.