Some loyal customers of an NDG cobbler whose business went up in flames over seven months ago are wondering when and where he'll be setting up shop next.

As CJAD News found out, he's having a rough time finding a new spot.

The local bank and residents had raised $30,000 to help Gilles St-Aubin get back on his feet and re-open.

But since the lease was up on his Monkland Street shop and the restaurant next door was planning to expand, St-Aubin has been on the hunt for a new locale.

And it hasn't been easy.

"On Sherbrooke St., it's about 1000 dollars for 500 square feet," St-Aubin told CJAD News, adding that some places are too big and in Monkland village, there's one storefront free but it's even more expensive. He said there's no question of going elsewhere.

"I'm a neighbourhood business that has to stay in the neighbourhood," he said.

For now, St-Aubin is making ends meet working at another shoe repair shop on the South Shore and he's also looking for odd jobs.

Photo: Coolopolis