Raymond Torcaso started his Kenosha shoe repair shop almost a century ago. Today, customers can still visit the shop for services like a new heel, resoling, or simply a friendly chat with the Torcaso family member manning the counter.

Siblings Steve Torcaso, Ray Torcaso, and Paula Spizzirri recently sat down with Kenosha News to discuss the long-standing family business, the evolution of the shoe repair industry, and what lies ahead.

The roots of this family business trace back to the 1920s when their grandfather, Raymond Torcaso, immigrated to America from Italy at a young age. Apprenticing as a shoemaker since childhood, he eventually opened his own shop in Kenosha in 1927.

Despite facing challenges during the Great Depression, the Torcaso family persevered in the shoe repair business. As generations passed, family members continued to contribute to the shop’s operation, with Steve, Ray, and Paula joining at young ages.