Handbag, Luggage, Shoe Repair At Salvatore's In Manhattan Beach

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA —Tucked between a dry cleaners and a cafe, Salvatore's might be easy to miss. But don't. If you need any leather garment repaired, any handbag or luggage repaired, shoes, too, Harry Ashikian is the man to see on HIghland Avenue in North Manhattan Beach.

Ashikian, now 62 and a highly skilled craftsman who learned his trade while a teen in Syria, has owned Salvatore's since 1984, taking ownership when namesake Salvatore retired. Ashikian is a one-man shop, with a sewing machine visible just inside the shop, his custom-made handbags nearby, and all of his repair area just behind the front counter. The shop is airy and light, with a good feel of craftsmanship and hard work.

"All handbags are made by my dad and he sells them," said Shaunt Ashikian, 28, who was holding down the fort when Manhattan Beach Patch stopped in. Shaunt told Manhattan Beach Patch his dad and a few friends walk to the Manhattan Beach Pier and back, every day, and Shaunt stops in so his dad can walk.

Manhattan Beach residents, the Ashikian family has been hit by COVID-19, closing their Salvatore's in Hermosa Beach due to the pandemic. His mom ran the Hermosa Beach location on Pier Avenue for some 15 years, he said, and in addition to the repair side of the business, that location sold jewelry and other trinkets. All repair work taken in in Hermosa Beach came to Salvatore's in Manhattan Beach where Harry performed the repairs.

Shaunt said business in Manhattan Beach is still slow and there are days when nobody comes in. That never used to happen, he noted. The business is armed for COVID-19 with hand sanitizer, sanitizing spray and Clorox wipes displayed on the counter.

When asked one thing he'd like people to know about Salvatore's, Shaunt said, "That we've been doing this for years and we appreciate everybody's business."

Salvatore's, 3507 Highland Avenue, is open during the pandemic Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

P.S. The store has a free laminated handout, "Madeline's Guide to Manhattan Beach Shore Life," a double-sided full color look at shore life mammals, birds, sea creatures, shells and more.