Alexandra Down the Rabbit Hole

Last week, Sr. Zoppini asked if I would go to Marsciano to do some shopping on his behalf. Apparently, his wife wants him to retire and would get angry if he were to go. So he sent Raffaele with me for company. Raffaele is a pal of his who is in his 70s. When he was 11, he left school and went to work in a shoe factory, hammering in the "pins" (the tiny nails used to hold the leather onto the forms during construction). However, at the age of 17, he decided that the pay was precarious and he went into a steadier line of business: construction. However, having worked in the shoe factory so many years ago, he still counts as an "expert" for Sr. Zoppini's shopping list.

The beauty of this is that it gave me the chance to enjoy the store further, as well as to take some photographs to share!

Some of his stock of buckles

This is his general display technique.
It helps to have a list, but browsing is certainly fun!

From a different wall of buckles

The stuff hanging out from the shelves in the rear
is leather of all different colors and quality.
He has another room like that, as well.

This is the rack of purse feet, grommets, etc.

Brass door knobs

Rubber boot heels next to grommets

Keys! Just a few types on display...

This is a sampling of the keys on offer, but he has all types

This row is dyes and polishes

Apart from these few photos, he has a room of shoe heels, another room of cleaning products (seriously harsh chemicals, not just your ordinary glass cleaner), aisles of waxes, and more! He also sells car tires, cheapo furniture, premade belts, and hooks.

If you're going to browse, be prepared to spend money, because you'll find all those little things you've been needing that you've never found elsewhere!

Love,

Alexandra