Years ago, my bride and I purchased Hein Gerick leather jackets and pants from Archie Shearer when he was working at the 52nd and Keystone BMW shop.  Irmi’s style sense changed so her’s was replaced by another quality jacket.  However, I like my jacket and it’s worn to the point where it’s got ‘character’.  Even had a few comments on it at vintage meets I go to.  However, as all things seem to do, my jacket shrunk setting in the closet.

Tom the Tailor was making zipper extenders until a few years ago.  Rumor had it that he’d passed on and his son (who I was told lives in Indy) was going to take up the craft.  However, no such luck finding him, or anybody that could make an ‘extender’.  While my jacket still fits…sorta….adding the liner or electrics for cooler weather riding just snugged it up a bit too much.  Got tired of my bride poking fun at me when I had it on…plus that whole being able to draw a breath came in to play here.

We’ve got a great shoe repair shop in Greenfield.  They fix about anything shoe related…and have expanded their services to leather purse and handbag repair and all sorts of ‘non-shoe’ items.  So I inquired one day passing through and yes, Baldomero said he thought he’d be able to make up something.  About a week later, boomo, I’ve got an extender.  He even added snaps on the extender so I can close the overflap!  Quite a setup!!  $45 for the extender, and that included cleaning and coating my old leather jacket with leather prep!  Prices will vary due to length of the zipper I’m told.

Mr. Martinez has quite a bit of experience in the shoe and leather business.  It’s where I get my shoe inserts from to aid my overloaded feet in getting me around those vintage meets.  He is an experienced prosthetic and orthotic technician so can take care of not only your shoes, but assist in making your mobility easier (an increasingly needed skill for my 70 plus year old body that’s hauling around an extra 20 [Irmi says more] or so pounds.

If you are interested or need his services, his shop is at 70 West McClarnon Dr in Greenfield, 46140.  He’s open 9 to 5 through the week, 9 to 2 on Saturday and closed on Sunday.  You can contact them at the shop on 317.477.7463.  Their shop has been open for 5 years at that location.  You can also read up on him and his brother Heladio on their web site https://www.greenfieldshoerepair.net/ or in back issues of the Greenfield Reporter.

For pictures of the jacket and extender, please refer to our Facebook page.