Medina officials, residents back move of longtime Porter's shoe shop to larger, accessible storefront

Medina officials and longtime residents detailed plans to relocate Porter's, a multigenerational shoe-repair business, to a larger, accessible storefront at 799 North Court Street as part of a redevelopment plan affecting the block where the shop has operated for decades.

A city speaker told the gathering that the site search followed changes to a nearby parking-deck plan and a state grant that altered parcel layouts. "When I met again with, Phyllis and Herb, it was determined that they would like to stay now, and and for a period of maybe 3 years," the speaker said, adding that the city found a new location "at 799 North Court Street, which is at the Southwest Corner Of Court And Highland, and, it has handicap accessibility in front and back." (Speaker identified in the transcript as S11.)

Herb Porter, who said he has family roots in the business dating to 1956, told the audience he and his wife prefer to remain in Medina. "So my wife and I didn't wanna move. We wanna stay right here," he said (S2). But he acknowledged the new space is "double the square feet" and more modern, including a lunchroom and better circulation for equipment.

The city representative said officials had the building official visit the new site to measure doorways and floor space and to confirm power capacity so the shop's existing machines will fit. "The building official went up there, measured all the, doorways, measured the floor, met looked at the power supply to make sure that everything could be accommodated with their equipment here," the speaker said (S11). The official added the city remained committed to moving Porter's equipment: "the city is still committed to moving the equipment up there for them, which was a commitment I made, on day 1" (S11).

Residents and former employees offered practical help and praised the Porters' decades of training and mentorship. Malachi Bell Jr., who said he first met Herb in 1966, recalled learning shoe-shining techniques and described the shop as a community hub that helped launch other local businesses (S8). Other speakers noted that some machinery is large and specialized; Herb said one machine his father bought in 1966 cost about $1,800 then.

The city did not announce a council vote or formal ordinance during the remarks. Officials described the relocation as part of an ongoing redevelopment process involving a state grant and a Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) change in project plans; the transcript did not specify the grant amount or provide a fuller name or description of the CIC.

Porter's owners said they appreciate the city's help moving heavy equipment and that staff will assist with packaging and transporting machines or provide a trailer if needed. Residents said they will help with measurements and logistics as the Porters prepare to move to the new site.

Next steps described in the remarks are operational: the building official confirmed fit and power, the city will assist with moving equipment, and the Porters will begin packing and arranging the new store. No formal vote or final lease details were announced in the recorded remarks.