What does it take to get shoes repaired around here?!?

When is a Cordonnerie NOT a Cordonneire?   Cordonnerie in French means “shoe repairer”.    That is what is right down the street and around the corner next to my little grocer.

But every time I go in there for a repair, it is met with “NON”.   David had some work to be done on his Mephisto’s and it seemed like a simple repair, but they didn’t have either the laces, or the machine in which to repair those shoes.  So, he still wears them and looks like the true pauvre professeur.  I asked today if they had heel taps to keep  my boot heels from wearing down as I wear them a lot.  “NON” – came the response.  He was washing his outdoor window when I walked by to ask him and to show him what I needed.   I repeated the question because I could not believe that he was telling me “NON’ again. I mean really, what is this store used for? Is it a FRONT for something else?  I said – in very poor french – Que faites-vous ici?  or ”  what are you doing in here” or something to that effect . Obviously I did not get an answer.  I continued walking – and scratching my head.  Where am I going to find a CORDONNEIRE that wants to repair my shoes?!?