A Viral TikTok Brings Attention to Forgotten Cobbler
A recent TikTok video by user @/vernettalopez has shone the spotlight on an elderly cobbler known simply as Peter, who has been quietly working at Holland Village for decades.
In the short clip, filmed just days ago, Peter reveals that by nearly 4pm, he had not seen a single customer.
When asked how long he has been working there, the cobbler responded matter-of-factly: “50 years.”
He then shared his age — 80 years old — before humbly continuing with his work.
Despite the lack of customers, Peter still turns up daily, operating his stall from 11am to 8pm at Lorong Liput, just outside Holland Village MRT station.
In the video, @/vernettalopez spoke of a pair of shoes repaired by Peter, noting that the cost was just $12 for both soles; an affordable price for quality workmanship.
Viewers Express Support and Share Memories
The video quickly drew emotional reactions, with commenters praising Peter’s resilience and urging Singaporeans to support him. One comment that struck a chord came from user jane, who revealed more about Peter’s life:
“Uncle is the sole breadwinner of his family! He stays in Jurong and travels to HV every day for years to support his sick wife and son who has depression and thus unable to work.”
The comment further encouraged people to support Peter, even suggesting that those without shoes to mend could offer him an angbao as a gesture of goodwill.
Another viewer, shared a personal memory of growing up in the area:
“As a kid, I always passed by this uncle when I went on walks with my grandma. He used to be very busy and I once got my school shoes fixed by him when I was in primary school.”
Others chimed in to vouch for his craftsmanship, with one remarking: “$12 repair a shoe it’s worth the money, cause it lasts very long. I tried before. Support the uncle please.”
A Trade Under Threat
This is not the first time Peter has captured public attention. In 2021, reports on him circulated after a video featured the then 75-year-old Peter Chin. The report described him as one of Singapore’s last remaining roadside cobblers — a profession that has been steadily disappearing as people increasingly choose to replace items rather than repair them.
At the time, Peter had already been working in Holland Village for more than four decades, continuing despite declining business. He was described as the sole breadwinner for his family, supporting his wife and son, both of whom face health struggles.
He admitted then that his mood rose and fell with the flow of customers: “When my business is good, my mood will be good because then I would be able to feed my family. How can I be happy when there’s no business?”
Community Encouragement to Keep Tradition Alive
Netizens have consistently expressed admiration for Peter’s perseverance, describing him as “sweet” and “honest.”
Despite his age and dwindling trade, he continues to show up daily at his spot in Holland Village.
The renewed attention from social media has once again sparked calls for the community to support Peter: not only to help sustain his livelihood, but also to preserve a fading tradition of cobbling in Singapore.
Watch the video here:
@vernettalopez Got shoes to fix? Why not support our small, local businesses, like Peter the cobbler at Holland Village? Ask for the price first cos diff shoes and shoe conditions affect the price. Lorong Liput @ Holland Village 11-8pm #supportlocal #buylocal #dyingart #hollandvillage #lorongliput
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