Q: I have a small leather change purse that was given to me when I was a little girl by my aunt. It even has my name engraved into the leather! Well, the zipper on it is broken. The zipper is only about 3½ inches long. I have taken it to shoe repair/cobbler shops, and they could not help me. I know years ago my mother used to take stuff to the zipper hospital (that’s what she called it). Do you know of any place where I can get this fixed?
— Brita Fox, Doylestown
A: I haven’t been able to find anyone locally who can replace the zipper, but I did find one place online. It’s called — are you ready for this? — the Zipper Hospital.
It’s in Brookline, Mass., and its website is www.zipperhospital.com. The owner said you can correspond by phone or email to discuss the job.
Small zippers are difficult to replace on leather goods, so it might be expensive. But because the change purse has sentimental value, I suspect it may be worth the cost to you.
Have a question about home maintenance, decorating or gardening? Akron Beacon Journal home writer Mary Beth Breckenridge will find answers for the queries that are chosen to appear in the paper. To submit a question, call her at 330-996-3756, or send email to mbrecken@thebeaconjournal.com. Be sure to include your full name, your town and your phone number or email address.
