Melissino's Sandal Shop

If you ever go to Athens, you must visit Melissino's Sandal Shop. It is easy to find, just off Monastiriki Square near the Agora. The shop was started by the grandfather of the current owner, but it was The Poet (the current owner's father) who made the shop famous, both because he was a talented poet and a good sandal maker.

When I met the Poet forty years ago, his shop had already been visited by the Beatles and he and his shop were well on their way to stardom. Since then such celebrities as Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Sophia Loren, and Barbra Streisand have visited him, and during the 2004 Olympics, Katie Couric did one segment of the Today Show from his shop.

What makes his shop so unique? Well, aside from the plethora of sandals hanging around, the many leather bags on the wall, and the original artwork, it's the service you get. Each pair of sandals is individually fit to the purchaser's foot. Once a style is chosen, the current owner, Pantelis Melissinos, fits the sandal and takes it to his bench to cut, reglue, and nail the leather so that the sandal fits perfectly. It is not the kind of shop to go to if you only have five minutes, as it is not a process to hurry along. But it is an enjoyable time, as there is plenty to absorb. We marveled at not only the craftsmanship of the sandal making but also the talent of Pantelis, as seen in his artwork.

And then there's the price. He has three prices for his sandals - 25, 27 and 29 euros. That's it. (They were $3 when I bought 40 years ago.) Where else can you get custom fit, hand-made sandals for that?

A trip to The Poet's Sandal Shop is well worth your time. I hope you manage to get there someday!