Henry Ng is a cobbler. He is also 85 years old and works alone 12 hours a day, seven days a week. He sleeps four hours between 3 and 7 a.m.
This has been his routine for half a century.
His wife once told him not to work so much.
“There’s work to do every day,” said Ng, who was interviewed by the Courier in Cantonese. “Why would I ever close?”
Ng was born in Taishan in China’s Guangdong province. He apprenticed as a tailor in Guangzhou but left China when the communists became the ruling party.
He moved to Hong Kong in 1949, where he lived until he immigrated to Vancouver with a cousin in 1951. Ng’s family association, the Ing Suey Sun Tong Association, which in 1914 opened a branch in Chinatown, helped them adjust to their new life in Canada — and with occasional meals.
Ng found it difficult making ends meet as a tailor and decided to try something new. He opened Henry’s Shoes and Shoe Repair at the edge of Main Street’s Punjabi Market in the mid-60s.
“Main Street was busier back then than it is today,” said Ng. “Half of my customers were westerners and half were Indians from the neighbourhood, but a lot of them moved away.”
Ng claims to have seen every luxury brand of shoe available, but can’t remember their names because, he explained, the cobbler isn’t into designer wear. Instead, Ng sports a humble pair of black work shoes.
When asked what he likes about the job, Ng said everything. When asked what challenges he encountered over the years, Ng said there were none.
“It’s busy every day. It’s been like this for the past 50 years.”
While Ng’s routine has stayed the same, he does adapts to change and isn’t stingy with necessary upgrades. His newest machine is a $10,000 Dutch finisher.
His services have also expanded beyond simple shoe repair. His workload includes traditional Punjabi jutti, handbags and hockey skates and gear.
Customer Cynthia Taylor is the daughter of Fred Taylor Jr., founder of Cyclone Taylor Sports, located not far from Ng’s shop. She noted her father tried a number of cobblers for hockey gear repair but ended up sticking to Ng for many years. Ng and Taylor remember the connection fondly.
“You don’t find that workmanship anymore,” said Taylor. “My father always used Henry because he was the best. That’s why all these years later, we still do.”
When Taylor first contacted him, Ng saw a good business opportunity and purchased a $6,000 machine for heavy duty stitching to handle his requests.
“Some weeks no shoes come in at all,” said Ng, “but I have had more than enough hockey repairs to keep me busy.”
Relationships like Taylor’s helped Ng’s business thrive. He also receives requests prior to Vancouver’s Vaisakhi Parade to mend outfits. A photo in his shop shows Ng standing proudly with a group of Sikh customers.
“Today, 80 percent are return customers,” said Ng.
A new addition to his in-store keepsakes is a booklet that celebrates this year’s 100th anniversary of the Ing Suey Sun association’s Vancouver Branch. The booklet features Ng and his wife. He is proud of the legacy he’s achieved since his beginnings in Vancouver with the association.
There is also a letter on display from Ralph Sultan, the Minister of State for Seniors, and certificates from the province and House of Commons commending Ng for his hard work and community contribution at his age.
Ng knows his physical condition isn’t what it used to be, but his ingenuity has helped him correct his posture. Ng wears a wooden frame on his back, held up by a belt around his waist, to help him stand straight.
When asked if he was inspired by an existing design, Ng said no. “I invented it myself. It can support up to 20 pounds.”
Ng’s chance at a new business has helped him support a life in Canada for his family. All five of his children studied at university and now have children of their own.
He has no plans to retire despite the scarcity of shops like his in Vancouver.
“This line of work will never disappear,” said Ng. “There is a need.”
However, Ng isn’t present 365 days a year. He takes one or two vacations a year, sometimes more than a month long. If missing from his store, Ng isn’t slacking off, just taking a well-deserved rest. He recently enjoyed a trip to Cancun with his entire family.
“They have food and drink available 24/7!” exclaimed Ng.
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