BRIDGEPORT — There’s an emergency room at 3364 S. Halsted St. — but it’s not the kind you might imagine.
Instead of cleaning gunshot wounds and setting broken bones, the good doctors of this E.R. stitch up and bring back to life broken shoes, busted zippers and torn prom dresses.
For the past five years, E.R. Shoe Repairs, Dry Cleaning & Alterations has been a savior for folks finding themselves in fashion emergencies, said shop owner Claudia Lopez.
The catch phrase on the shop's business card says it all: "IF YOUR FAVORITE SHOES OR CLOTHES NEED FIRST AID... WE CAN REVIVE THEM!"
Since opening in July 2010, E.R. has served everyone from blue-collar laborers to high school students to politicians. Ald. Patrick Daley Thompson has stopped in on at least three occasions to get his clothes operated on.
To shop owners Claudia and her husband Jose Lopez, E.R. is a labor of love. Though they both work full-time jobs — Claudia as a daycare manager and Jose as an eyeglasses technician — they show up to E.R. every night at 6:30 p.m. to keep on top of orders.
Claudia specializes in dying shoes and fabric. Jose is the shop's shoemaker. Then there's Jorge, the shop's full-time tailor.
Though the shop has become a success, it wasn't always easy.
First, there was a problem with the business' original name: "The Emergency Room." During actual medical emergencies, locals would crack open the phone book or do a quick Web search and find the shop's phone number.
The Emergency Room got so many rogue calls, Claudia decided to change the name to E.R.
"People called and said 'I'm sick, I'm sick,'" Lopez said. "Of course I felt bad because these people are sick and have big problems."
The shop still prides itself on offering solutions to fashion emergencies. The trio of shop hands often fixes items on the spot. E.R.'s lead tailor often needs a few hours to get a torn dress or pair of pants in working order. Sometimes, customers are able to pick up orders after eating lunch down the block.
"Customers come in and say, 'I need something right now,'" Claudia Lopez said.
Their first two years in business, the Lopez family constantly worried about having enough money to pay rent. At one point, they had to sell off several sewing machines in order to make ends meet.
By their third and fourth years on Halsted, Claudia and Jose had built up a decent client list and good reputation.
Regulars will tell you there's more than tailoring and shoemaking at E.R. headquarters. Hanging on the walls are dozens of abstract paintings by Karina and Laura Gomez.
Over the next five years, Claudia and Jose Lopez hope to build a new website for the shop and eventually expand.
The shop is open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and closed Sundays.
Alterations
Bell bottom pants $20
Double hem $10
Single hem $8
Blouses $15, $20 or $40
Buttons $2, $3 or $5
Waistline $10
Sleeves $20
Buttonholes $3 or $5
Zippers $25
Dress (simple hem) $15, $30 or $40
Dress (double and triple hem) $25, $30 or $50
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