Cleaning sneakers more than just a hobby for RI businessman
by: Sarah Doiron
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Jonathan Gil is an entrepreneur through and through.
The Met School graduate opened a shoe repair shop called “The Sneaker Sink” off Weybossett Street earlier this year with one mission in mind — to give old kicks new life.
“I kind of look at a shoe and clean it like you would detail a car,” Gil explained. “You go piece by piece so you don’t miss anything.”
Gil said his love of sneakers started at a young age.
“I always knew that others loved sneakers as well … but a lot of us don’t have time to clean our sneakers,” he said. “I thought, ‘Why not start a business and provide a service where people can just drop off their shoes and we’ll make them look like new?’”
Rehabbing well-worn shoes for a living wasn’t the 33-year-old’s initial plan. Gil said he was well on his way to becoming an electrician until a hand injury a few years ago put him out of work for two months.
“I was opening a package and I ripped open my hand,” he recalled. “It was nuts.”
That’s when he started buying used sneakers online and working his magic.
“I was paying like $30 for sneakers and reviving them,” Gil said. “I would clean them up, paint them and then I would post them back up online and make $100 or sometimes more.”
Not everyone was thrilled with his newfound passion, according to Gil.
“When I started talking to people about my business plan, a lot of people laughed at me,” Gil said. “‘Cleaning sneakers? Is that what you really want to do? It sounds like a hobby.’”
“But hey, I know people love their shoes,” he added. “I started cleaning sneakers and showing everyone what I was capable of and people loved it.”
Gil no longer buys used sneakers online and instead solely focuses on restoring his customers’ shoes.
And he doesn’t always work alone.
Gil has actually enlisted the assistance of students from his alma mater who occasionally work under his wing.
“I just want to show them that we’re all capable of starting a small business and giving back to the community,” Gil said. “I want to teach them things I didn’t know when I was their age.”
“We are here to keep sneakers from going to the landfill,” he continued. “We want to restore them and clean them so you have them for as long as possible.”
Gil’s message to those unsure of their next step in life is simple.
“Never give up on your dream,” he said. “Be consistent and just be positive. We all make mistakes, try different things and take different routes, but if we stay consistent and positive we will get to where we want to be.”
The Sneaker Sink is right across from the Providence Performing Arts Center. Those interested in learning more about Gil’s services can follow him on social media or give him a call at (401) 340-6040.
Facebook: The Sneaker Sink | Instagram: @thesneakersink | TikTok: @thesneakersink
Johnny Villella contributed to this report.