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JL Mercer Boot Company is a custom boot maker based in San Angelo, Texas. We were fortunate to get a behind the scenes look during our visit.
My friend Lenny took us to the JL Mercer Boot Company while we walked around downtown San Angelo. He had been given a pair of custom boots as a gift and was so impressed with them that he wanted to show us the boot making process.
History
JL Mercer Boot Company was founded in 1923. They’re known around the world for making some of the finest handmade custom cowboy boots. They’ve created custom boots for John Wayne, Lyndon B. Johnson, Bill Elliott, Charlie Daniels, and Billy Ray Cyrus, among countless other celebrities. Their showroom has several pairs of custom boots on display.
Workshop
Lenny asked the manager if we could go upstairs to see the workshop, and he gladly agreed to show us around. We were given a quick explanation of the boot making process and how the equipment works.
It looked a little disorganized but with the explanation everything made sense. We were shown the lasts, leather, and some of the machinery used to put the boots together.
The manager then showed us some of the boots currently in progress. Overall, it was very interesting and a great experience to see such an important part of San Angelo history in person.
