HOPKINS COUNTY, KY – If you ever travel down West Center Street in Madisonville, you will notice a relatively small shop located just before you cross the railroad tracks. Beneath an overhead sign proclaiming the name “Kounty Kobbler” you will see smaller notes posted on the windows stating various aspects of shoe repair services. For new visitors to our fair city, one would think little of such a small shop. Truth be told, however, this quaint little shoe repair shop is part of the foundation of the city of Madisonville. iSurf news had the honor of interviewing Kounty Kobbler owner Darrel Ratliff.

Kounty Kobbler is the business as well as the home of  Ratliff, a Madisonville native whose family roots trace back to the early days of Hopkins County. Ratliff is the son of James and Nora Ratliff, two well-known members of the old Madisonville Community. Born on May 11, 1954, Ratliff was raised up in Madisonville. He spent the majority of his life in his hometown, only leaving for short periods of time. One of his quick ventures outside of Hopkins County led him to Ball State University in Munsie Indiania, where he was trained and certified as a licensed Orthopedic Shoe Technician.

Ratliff did advertising on the radio for a decade before buying his current shop on April 1, 1977 (April Fools Day.) This commercial space was originally owned by Bill Browning and went under the name Bills’ Shoe Shop. Today, Ratliff’s shoe shop keeps him fairly busy as his is the only business of its kind in Hopkins, Muhlenberg, Webster, Ohio, McLean, and Christian County. According to Ratliff, his customers cover a 9-county area. Among the Kounty Kobbler’s prominent regular customers are Governor Steve Beshear, as well as many local politicians and community leaders. An interesting side-fact is at one point, Ratliff himself had considered running for Mayor of Madisonville.

The Kounty Kobbler is located at 32 West Center Street and is currently open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 AM - 1 PM and Tuesday and Thursday from 9-5. Saturday hours are 10 AM - 4 PM. Ratliff performs shoe alterations, heel and sole replacement, built-ups, alterations, and much more. If you want your shoes fixed right or your shoe prescriptions filled, you won’t find a better place.

J. L. Graham
iSurf News