Where Calgary Magazine Where May June 2017 | Page 37
SHOPPING
Retail
Spotlight
BEN GERWING
Almost 40 years ago, Calgary
businessman Clement Gerwing was
running a wholesale footwear company
when inspiration struck. Dissatisfied with the quality of
the western boots he was buying and selling, he thought,
“I can make a better boot than this.”
“When he was first starting out, a lot of people told him, ‘You can’t do it, you can’t
manufacture in Canada, it’s just not going to work,’” says Ben Gerwing, Clement’s
grandson. “He was the kind of guy who liked to put his head down and get to work
and show people that actually, you can do it. And he was right.”
That much is evident today from the continued success of Alberta Boot Co. (page 40),
which was passed down to Clem’s son Tim and, in 2015, to third-generation bootmaker
Ben Gerwing, who continues to use the same methods his grandfather did.
Each pair of boots requires 200 steps and about 4-6 weeks to make, and every single
one is made in Calgary in the small factory behind the Alberta Boot Co. storefront. The
boots are made almost entirely from leather (ranging from cowhide to more exotic
offerings like ostrich and python), making for unbeatably durable and comfortable
footwear that can be resoled and worn for years — even decades — unlike boots with
man-made materials that don’t form to your foot and quickly fall apart.
Though western boots are the company’s main focus, they make plenty of other styles,
from a Chelsea boot to a lace-up service boot, including every dress boot worn by Royal Canadian Mounted Police across Canada. The
store carries more than 6,000 pairs in stock, but many people choose to have a custom pair made to their exact specifications. The
team at Alberta Boot Co. can create almost anything their customers can dream up.
Gerwing says his every day, go-to boot is oil-tanned cowhide leat her that’s easy to take care of, looks great with jeans, and has the
distinct advantage of a worn-in appearance to avoid that "city slicker" look. “The nice thing is it doesn’t look like you’re walking in to your
very first stampede in a brand-new pair of boots,” Gerwing says. “It kind of looks like you know what you’re doing.”
— Rachael Frey
The following listings include shopping areas,
malls, department stores, and independent shops
that the editors judge worthy of your attention,
including advertisers in Where Calgary. The map
coordinates at the end of each listing (E4, E8 etc.)
refer to the city maps on pages 59 to 60. If you have
an observation regarding any of our listings, please
email [email protected].
W UPGRADED LISTING
ADVERTISER
FOR FULL LISTINGS, PLEASE VISIT
where.ca/calgary
CLOTHING: MENSWEAR
BROOKLYN CLOTHING COMPANY Brooklyn Clothing
Co. is a local independent retailer located in Kensington.
For 28 years, Brooklyn has been stocking the latest
brands in men’s clothing and footwear. Currently
featured are Canadian brands Viberg Boots, Wings +
Horns, and Reigning Champ. The shop specializes in
Premium Denim for men. New additions Jean Shop
(NYC) and Purple (Vancouver) should not be missed.
201, 1211 Kensington Rd NW, 403-283-4006. Map 1, G5
www.brooklynclothing.com
store. 1207 - 10 Ave SE, 403-910-9913. Map 1, H6
www.shopnorthamerican.com
SUPREME MEN’S WEAR For those who love a
fashion experience. A welcomed alternative to the
predictable. Located in the heart of the downtown.
Independently owned and operating in their seventh
decade. 401 - 4 Ave SW, 403-266-4417. Map 2, D4
www.suprememenswear.com
CLOTHING: MEN & WOMEN
ESPY EXPERIENCE An affordable designer boutique
for men and women, staffed by professional fashion
stylists who specialize in styling for every body type
and denim fittings. The boutique features Canadian
designed goods and caters to all sizes. 1009 - 9 Ave SE,
403-457-3779. Map 1, H7 www.espyexperience.com
SHEAR LUXURY After travelling the world, Claudia
Wierzba came back to Calgary and opened up Shear
Luxury, an upscale store in Inglewood that sells an
exquisite and exclusive collection of goods. Included in
the store is knitwear fashion made in New Zealand and
buttery soft leather footwear handcrafted in Italy. 1412 - 9
Ave SE, 403-455-2010. Map 1, H7 www.shearluxury.ca
SIMONS This Canadian, family-owned retailer is known
NORTH AMERICAN QUALITY PURVEYORS An
independent menswear boutique specializing in rugged
clothing and accessory brands like Gitman Vintage,
Jungmaven, The Stowe and Topo Designs. Look for
the life-sized wooden moose that stands outside the
TIP
for its expansive selection of apparel for the whole family,
featuring established and up-and-coming designers from a
roster of both Canadian and international labels. Also find
a selection of home decor and accessories, and a bistro-
inspired cafe with hot and cold beverages and pastries.
The store also features a café with sweet and savoury
snacks. The Core, 324 - 8 Ave SW. www.simons.ca
CLOTHING: WOMENSWEAR
FASHION ADDITION Sizes 14-plus. Staff advise on new
looks and trends from leisure to dressy looks. Brands
include Eileen Fisher, Jones New York, and Spanner.
10816 Macleod Tr SE, 403-285-8407. Map 1, L6
www.fashionaddition14plus.com
LAUREN BAGLIORE CONCEPT SHOP New York fashion
designer Lauren Bagliore opened this concept boutique
to showcase her self-titled brand, which features soft
Italian jersey dresses, leggings, and wool tweeds meant
for layering and draping to create unusual silhouettes
and illusions. 917 - 11 St SE, 403-455-4020. Map 1, H6
www.laurenbagliore.com
SHADES OF SLEEP High-quality boutique featuring
handmade jewelry, sleepwear, and bedding designed
by independent Canadian artisans. 1221 - 9 Ave SE,
403-457-0092. Map 1, H7 www.shadesofsleep.ca
Explore Simons (page 37) in The Core to find a café, Eve, and lots of locally-made
artwork comissioned specifically for this location. No two Simons stores are the same!
MAY/JUNE 2017
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