Our Story
Over 30 Years Improving Our Clients Footwear
Over 30 Years Experience in
Shoe Repair, Orthotics & Prosthetics
In the spring of 1982, he began working at his family’s shoe repair business in Middleton, WI, eventually purchasing and growing the business. David sought to increase his knowledge of materials and techniques, so he sold the shoe repair and began working as an orthotic and prosthetic technician at a lab in Madison, WI. He initially specialized in providing high quality shoe modifications, focusing on cosmetics, as well as correction. This was important to David, as he has needed a shoe lift to address a leg length discrepancy (LLD) through most of his life due to a hip disorder. Over time, he mastered the entire scope of orthotic and prosthetic fabrication.
From Madison to Central Illinois
David and Sheila Johnston, accompanied by their 3 rescue dogs, relocated to Central Illinois in 2018 to be close to aging parents. David found shoe repair locally, but in the spring of 2020, David’s job was a of the casualty of the economic downturn. Not one to leave his livelihood to fate, David mustered his impressive skill set, acquired equipment, and opened a shoe repair business of his own.
The Goodfield location is ideally situated off I-74 between Bloomington and Peoria, with an easy on-off for commuting customers. The local community has embraced our business, providing encouragement, and support. Without them, we would not have made it this far!
We Are Growing!
Recently, word of our quality service has spread online, bringing shipments of shoes for repair and modification from throughout the Midwest. This uptick in the workload has necessitated extra help at the shop, so Sheila left her position as an orthotist to focus on growing the family business. These days, when you stop in at Goodfield Shoe Repair, you’ll likely be greeted by not only the welcoming human business owners, but their pack of exuberant pups - Willow, Deja, and Artie, who are often featured in our Facebook posts.
Truly a family business!
Moving to Wisconsin for 2025
Goodfield Shoe Repair is packing up our Illinois repair facility and moving to Berlin, Wisconsin. We plan to provide the same great service, just from a new location. During our transition, we will continue to accept and process mail-in orders for climbing, hiking and approach shoe resoling. We are not accepting new repairs for work or casual shoes, not for zippers or leather goods. Thank you for bearing with us during this exciting transition!
David Johnston
COBBLER
“Ever since I can remember I have been making things or fixing things.”
If David wasn’t taking his dads tools, he was borrowing his grandpa’s who lived across the street. He was four when he made his first “cat house”… probably the youngest cat house owner ever? Adults used to giggle after asking what he was making. He also fixed old toasters and all kinds of household items (if you count taking things apart and not putting them back together as fixing). In high school shop classes, David learned the proper way to work with tools and how to be safe in the shop, making things out of wood and fiberglass. “I still use the skills I learned in shop classes today,” he says.
In 1981, at age 15, David started working part-time in shoe repair. Before that he had already been making belts, dog collars and billfolds out of leather since his dad, Glenn, was a leather crafting hobbyist. David took over the shoe repair full-time after high school in 1984 and purchased the shop from his dad in 1988.
Four years later David sharpened his orthopedic skills by taking the Pedorthic Management of the Foot course at Ball State University. This led to working in the orthotic and prosthetic field, fabricating prosthetic arms and legs, as well as knee, leg and back braces.
After working in O&P for 30 years, while doing shoe repair and modifications on the side, David and Sheila moved to Illinois to help her family. In 2020 David launched Goodfield Shoe Repair after being laid off due to COVID-19.
Besides owning a business, he and Sheila love spending time outdoors with their three dogs and spending time with family.
Sheila Johnston
BUSINESS MANAGER
“My goal is to ensure everyone has the best experience possible.”
Sheila began her career as an orthotist through a desire to help people and an interest in biomechanics. Over the last 30 year, she has helped thousands of people gain and retain their mobility.
Her professional interests led her down many paths in the medical field, including working as a Compliance and Quality Assurance officer, which was her passion at the end of her career.
After relocating to Illinois from Madison, WI and working through the pandemic, she and David decided the best move for them would be for her to leave the medical field and join him at the shoe repair. He had independently grown the business to the point where having an extra set of hands to manage the counter and provide customer service would be advantageous. He could then focus on his strongpoint - providing high quality repairs, and she could continue to utilize the people skills developed over the course of her orthotics career.
Together, they continue to grow Goodfield Shoe Repair, both on a local level, as well as reaching out to the Midwestern rock climbing community to provide a valuable climbing shoe resole and repair service to the region.
Sheila enjoys interacting with the couples’ three rescue dogs, hiking, gardening, and spending time with her family.
Check out our feature on Peoria CBS affiliate WMBD News.