How one Seattle cobbler explains a century of economic change

Step into Swanson’s Shoe Repair, a near 100-year-old time capsule of midcentury machinery — stitchers, sanders, buffers, stretchers — that, improbably, has more customers than they can handle, even with the heyday of cobblers decades in the past.

The first thing you will notice is the smell. It smells of chemicals. Polish, glue, grease. It smells of leather. And sweat. And maybe, just a little bit, feet.

Four generations of Swansons have resoled, restitched and repaired thousands and thousands of pairs of shoes, boots and heels in this humble Wallingford storefront.

George Swanson, who emigrated from Sweden as a child, started the business 97 years ago. His son George Jr. took over when he retired. Then George Jr.’s son Danny. Now Danny’s son Daniel owns the shop. But Danny still comes