Evan Green is an associate cobbler at Ole’s Boot & Shoe Repair.
Tell us a little about your business. – Ole’s (olesbootandshoerepair.com) offers the finest in shoe and boot repair, orthopedic customizations, leather repair, and leather care products. We can repair almost any brand of shoe or boot. We also sell high quality leather products, such as belts, wallets, and cell phone cases. In addition to these items, Ole’s offers shoe and boot related products such as laces and inserts. Ole’s has been in business since 1981, so you can feel confident when leaving your boots, shoes, or leather items in our hands.
How did you get started in the business? – I repatriated from New York having spent 10 years as a custom fabricator for a reputable clothing company. New York has a lot of great things but we would always wait to get our boots repaired at Ole’s when we came home for the holidays. My family always took our shoes there and you could trust them to do a great job. So in the course of resettling in Lincoln, I stopped by Ole’s on a lark, began apprenticing there, and discovered I loved the work.
Tell us a little about your family. – I have a darling and precocious baby girl who just turned two, and a brilliant and gorgeous wife.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – The evening I met my lady, Haley, on May 10, 2017.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Bicycle rides to picnic spots with my family and flying kites, weather permitting.
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? – I’ve been honored to act as an officiant at five weddings. All have been friends to some degree but it is always astonishing to be trusted to conduct such a profound rite. I am also surprised and pleased in the unexpected ways it has bettered my life.
Who inspires you? – People who endure extreme adversity courageously, somehow persevere, and remain optimistic in spite of their experience.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? – “…well, it’s not gonna make itself…”
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? – Solid.
If you had a theme song, what would it be? – “Badlands” by Bruce Springsteen.
If you could have a super power, what would it be? – Gliding.
What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? – Clutch bocce-ball placement.
Which talent would you most like to have? – Big-wave surfing would be something.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? – I would enjoy being a musician.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? – Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy.
What is your favorite movie? – I think about There Will Be Blood a lot.
What is your favorite TV show? – Mad Men.
What is your favorite local restaurant? – Mary Ellen’s currently.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? – Anthony Bourdain.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – (402) 483-6766; olesbootandshoerepair@gmail.com; olesbootandshoerepair.com.