The stretch of South Congress in Austin is sometimes referred to as the “boot capital of the world,” with seemingly every other store ready to fit any passersby in a pair. Now it appears that a Canadian boot company wants to join the party, bringing some international boots to the street (not that Canada entirely qualifies as international).
According to a filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Canadian boot maker Alberta Boot Company appears to be eyeing construction of a store in the former lot of longtime Italian restaurant Vespaio. Chron reached out to Alberta Boot for additional details and will update the article when we hear back.
The $400,000 store would be at 1612 South Congress and include 5,000 square feet of boots and other western apparel. Alberta Boot offers a selection of handmade boots in premium leathers, including traditional cowhide, exotic skins and specialty finishes. They also offer repair and fitting services. Bull riders from the province of Alberta regularly make appearances at rodeos throughout Texas, so it’s a rather natural fit.
Still, we may be reaching a boot store saturation point on South Congress. It’s already home to Allen Boots, Tecovas, Heritage Boot Co, Ariat and Luccheese, among others, and yet Alberta Boot saw this scene and still believed it could use a few more pairs.
If it goes through, the project would begin construction in August and wrap up by the end of October. So if you’re planning to shop for boots around then, and want a little Canadian in your boots, they’ll have you covered.