Lukas Züblin from Oberuzwil is 34 years old and shoemaker

Portrait "Maybe I don't fit into this time": Like a 34-year-old shoemaker from Oberuzwil defies today's disposable company

He is one of the last of his field: Lukas Züblin, trained shoemaker and owner of the shoemaker on Kapellstrasse in Oberuzwil.Consumer and throw-away society or not: The 34-year-old is convinced that there are still people who are important to quality and sustainability.His success gives hope.

The job of the shoemaker has a long tradition, is over 7000 years old.But the appreciation for the craft has largely been lost in today's world.Lukas Züblin, who had taken over the workshop of Arnold Chiavi at Kapellstrasse 3 in Oberuzwil six years ago, who had just 28 years ago, just 28 years ago.He has not regretted neither the choice of his second job nor the step into self -employment."I wanted to work with my hands and be my own boss," he says.Of course it is not easy, there are better and worse times again.Nevertheless, he had never lost the joy of work, on the craft, but also the confidence that consumers' quality awareness will increase again.

Lukas Züblin stands behind the grinding machine in the back of the small shoemaker, which is the workshop and business at the same time.There is an old cash register with crank on the newly designed counter.Nostalgic, like the equipment in the rear part, which have all served for decades and still do this reliably.It is Friday.The term of the pickup, as Züblin says, while he gives the finishing touch.Once again he checks his work, the quality of the gluing."Like new, just better," he says, satisfied, and pushes the shoes between all the mountain, trekking and sports shoes that are waiting for your owners and the next outdoor inserts on the shelf next to the door next to the door next to the door.

Quality work has its price

First and foremost, there are valuable shoes with a high procurement price that are repaired in the cobbler behind the Katharina chapel.No wonder.The work has its price.And paying that are increasingly fewer people ready.But not only this limits the customer base."I'm not accepting everything," Lukas Züblin makes clear.He does not even try to repair shoes from the low price segment, so-called “Fast Fashion” products.Although he himself belongs to the generation that depicts the target audience of industrial cheap production, it is difficult for today's disposable mentality."Maybe", he laughs, "I just don't fit into this time.»

Rare training positions

No apprenticeships in Eastern Switzerland

If you want to learn the traditional shoe maker profession, you have a hard time finding a training position at all.At least on the official information portal of the professional, study and career advice professional advice.ch is neither in the canton of st.Gallen still advertised in Thurgau or in Appenzellerland an apprenticeship.The only training position in this professional area bätenspiess and Kühne in ST.Gall on.However, to the orthopedic shoe maker.These do not repair any paragraphs or burst leather seams, do not manufacture conventional mass shoes, but produce orthopedic mass and series shoes, deposits and foot supports.Four companies in this profession form in Switzerland: in the cantons of Friborg, Bern and Solothurn.There is only one apprenticeship for conventional shoemakers: in Bulle Freiburg.

Best January since the business takeover

Nevertheless, they still exist, the customers who buy qualitative goods, maintain them and want to use sustainably.People like the man who picks up his training shoes shortly before noon and says: «It's good that there are still people like them.»Lukas Züblin receives such feedback more often.And they drive him.

A large part of the clientele of his predecessor has remained and he was able to expand the customer base.He currently feels that Klemenz Mosberger had given up his cobbles of the same name in Flawil at the end of last year: «I have never had as much work as this year in January.»

Dream of creative studio

Lukas Züblin works three days a week in his shoemaker, patches shoes, repairs zippers or handbags and grind scissors or knives on request.The rest of the time he devotes himself to other craftsmanship or rather handicrafts."The goldsmithing trade is very fascinated by me," he says.Like the leather, precious metals or stones are value -resistant materials that enable an enormous variety of designs in combination.He makes no secret of the fact that he sometimes lacks the creative, says:

The production of shoes to measure is only one example.A niche in which one cannot assert yourself in competition with abroad.

Various belts are exhibited in a display case in the entrance area.Skill and precisely because of exclusive unique pieces with colored quilted seams.Natural products that are getting more and more beautiful through wearing, as Lukas Züblin says.He has been manufacturing them for several years - and sells them successfully.But it works even more exclusive.A somewhat hidden on a wooden shelf is a belt that captivates with geometric shapes from different types of leather and varieties.Mass production, created in the highest precision.Lukas Züblin had spent umpteen hours for it.The price?Züblin is silent.But he makes no secret of how important the artistic and creative is for him, and he says: «Maybe he will come true, the dream of his own studio-at some point.»

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