OklahomaHorses Magazine May 2021

May/June 2021 • OklahomaHorses 9 Tener’s Western Outfitters’ Master Craftsman Rubén Rodríguez shares about his 60-plus years of cobbler work and wisdom By Michael Bell | Photos by Linda Earley T here is nothing that does more for a person’s wardrobe, that brings the finishing touch, like refined footwear; some have even referred to custom footwear as an “extension of their soul.” Even academic research has proven shoes are an extension of one’s self, acting as a “repository of memory and meaning in our lives.” Custom leather stitching, high-quality mate- rial and a perfect fit will not only add style but will also make a person stand taller because they know they look great and can sense that others see it too. You might ask what’s so special about handmade shoes? Aren’t all shoes technically handmade? Well, no. Some are made entirely by robots and machines. Handmade boots and shoes, however, are meticulously crafted by experts set on ensuring an exceptional result. A great pair of handmade shoes should fit like a glove, reflect your individuality, while hopefully not breaking the bank, and speak of a dedicated craftsman. The question is, where can you get such a great item that can affect a person’s demeanor and appearance in such a manner? Here in Oklahoma City, the answer to that question can be found in a small, unassuming room toward the back of Tener’s Western Outfitters. When you first walk in, you are greeted by smiling faces. As you meander toward the right side of the store, you will see a boot and shoe shine station, similar to those you may have seen in movies or, if you’re old enough, may even remember from real life. Once there, you will be greeted by Clyde Littlejohn and Rubén Rodrí- guez. Clyde does the boot and shoe shine while Rubén repairs those that have seen better days. They will sit there and banter back and forth with Tim Terry, one of the store’s sales associates, solving the world’s issues on any given day—ex- cept for politics as Rubén does not like to get involved. If you’re brave enough to jump in the conversation, you may find yourself having a wonderful day. Rubén is not only a dedicated craftsman but also the type of person a room full of people will gravitate to, not because he is extravagant or loud but rather jovial and soft-spoken through broken English. Rubén brings 60-plus years of life experience and wisdom to the conversation. The others do as well, but Rubén stands out because of how he has acquired his knowledge and the love and respect he has for everyone he encounters. Born in the city of Juarez, Mexico, there were not a lot of career opportunities. In 1967, Rubén began working a job he found interest- ing, following in the footsteps of his father as a cobbler. A cobbler is a tradesman that will custom-make or repair a pair of boots or shoes. His father began working as a cobbler in 1944. Rubén found this choice a natural fit for himself and immediately settled in, picking up the tricks of the trade. His first payday, he earned the equivalent of $1.50. Yes, that’s right; $1.50 for a week’s worth of work, and because of his character, he thought his father had paid him too much. After several years working under his father’s tutelage, Rubén wanted to explore freelance cobbler work in Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma. In 1988, he gave up freelance work and made Oklahoma City his permanent home, working in an orthopedic facility as a cobbler. He soon married Lupe Rodríguez, and they had three children, all of whom pursued other career fields. However, Rubén says he is happy to teach anyone who is willing to learn the trade. Over the years, Rubén has made any and all types of boots, from kangaroo, dress weight calf and ostrich, to exotic leathers like alligator, snake, fish and lizard. He has worked on high- end dress boots as well as everyday steel-toed work boots. You may even know some of the more high-profile boot owners whose footwear Rubén has repaired, such as Charles Barkley, Terry Bradshaw, George W. Bush and George H. W. Bush, several country music artists and even some of our own Thunder basketball players. When asked about having his boots on such famous feet, Rubén replied, “I always wanted to make boots, not belts or wallets, just boots, and it doesn’t matter who I’m making the boots for. I do the best I can for everyone.” He loves to see the customer pleased with Soles to Souls