How an immigrant from Armenia got his ‘American Dream’ as a cobbler in Mission Hills
Mike Pogos, the owner of Art Master Shoe Services in Mission Hills, is a cobbler who immigrated with his family from Armenia when he was 11.
“My father bought the business when we moved here,” Pogos said. “This became our American Dream.” Pogos says work like his is a dying art, and many people will just buy new shoes rather than fixing what they have.
The number of cobblers shops has dropped from over 100,000 in the 1930s to roughly 3,500–5,000 in U.S. today due to fast fashion, but the remaining cobblers like Pogos are in demand.
Mike Pogos removes the sole of a boot to replace with a new one in Mission Hills, CA on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Pogos is the owner of Art Master Service which has been repairing shoes since the 70’s. Pogos says work like his is a dying art, many people will just go buy new rather than fixing what they have. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Mike Pogos replaces the heel on a woman’s shoe in Mission Hills, CA on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Pogos is the owner of Art Master Service which has been repairing shoes since the 70’s. Pogos says work like his is a dying art, many people will just go buy new rather than fixing what they have. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Mike Pogos works on polishing a pair of shoes in Mission Hills, CA on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Pogos is the owner of Art Master Service which has been repairing shoes since the 70’s. Pogos says work like his is a dying art, many people will just go buy new rather than fixing what they have. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Mike Pogos in his shop in Mission Hills, CA on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Pogos is the owner of Art Master Service which has been repairing shoes since the 70’s. Pogos says work like his is a dying art, many people will just go buy new rather than fixing what they have. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Mike Pogos uses vintage machines to work on shoes in Mission Hills, CA on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Pogos is the owner of Art Master Service which has been repairing shoes since the 70’s. Pogos says work like his is a dying art, many people will just go buy new rather than fixing what they have. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Mike Pogos finishes a pair of shoes in his shop in Mission Hills, CA on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Pogos is the owner of Art Master Service which has been repairing shoes since the 70’s. Pogos says work like his is a dying art, many people will just go buy new rather than fixing what they have. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Mike Pogos replaces the heel on a woman’s shoe in Mission Hills, CA on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Pogos is the owner of Art Master Service which has been repairing shoes since the 70’s. Pogos says work like his is a dying art, many people will just go buy new rather than fixing what they have. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Mike Pogos removes the sole of a boot to replace with a new one in Mission Hills, CA on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Pogos is the owner of Art Master Service which has been repairing shoes since the 70’s. Pogos says work like his is a dying art, many people will just go buy new rather than fixing what they have. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Before his family moved from Armenia to Los Angeles, Pogos’s family didn’t have the opportunity to own a business. “This business has been here since 1988,” Pogos said. “My father owned it before me.”
Pogos grew up working at Art Master Shoe Services before he took over. “We work on shoe repairs, keys, watch repairs, batteries,” Pogos said. “Anything the customer needs we can do.” With 30 years of leadership, he’s been able to become a familiar face for regulars.
As a small business, Pogos prioritizes customer satisfaction above all else. “If someone brings in something that doesn’t need repairs I let them know,” Pogos said. “I am after honesty not just money.”
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