A Friendship of Two Shoemakers in East Van

Lately, we’ve been thinking a lot about our good friend Rino.

If you lived in Vancouver in the ’90s or 2000s, you might remember Rino’s Shoes for the Stars. He made shoes for films, celebrities, and anyone who appreciated true craftsmanship. He also became one of Davoud’s very first—and closest—friends after arriving in Canada.

They share a deep bond: both master shoemakers, both passionate about football (soccer), and both eagerly awaiting fresh Italian figs every August.

When Davoud arrived in Vancouver with just $5 in his pocket, he opened the Yellow Pages and called the first shoe repair shop he could find. They didn’t have work, but they gave him Rino’s number. When Davoud called, Rino invited him to lunch that same day.

Although Rino was technically Davoud’s employer, their relationship was much more about friendship and emotional support. Rino reminded Davoud of his late brother Russell, and in turn, Rino helped him cope with the loss.

From 2006 to 2012, Davoud split his time—days working with Rino, evenings at Stepho’s Greek Restaurant, and summer weekends at Rino’s trailer home in Point Roberts. Those years were full of work, yes, but also served as a kind of quiet emotional healing. That’s a story for another time.

We recently came across an old YouTube video from VFS (Vancouver Film School). It’s beautifully made, and we hope you enjoy this glimpse into what Vancouver used to be like. At the time, Davoud had only known Rino for three years… and he had a little more hair, too. Hard to believe how quickly time passes.