Paul Rowland has been fixing shoes at his Westbrook shop, Paul’s Shoe Repair, for the past 27 years. Rowland learned the craft as an apprentice to a shoe repairman in Belfast and knew it was the type of work he wanted to pursue. The best part of the job, he says, is “working for myself.” This time of year, when customers need their winter footwear repaired, Rowland works 10 hours a day.

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