Family-run cowboy boot business happy Calgary Stampede is back

CALGARY — From pieces of leather to hand-crafted cowboy boots, a family-run boot business is making boots for people all over the world.

They’re located in Calgary and the Stampede is what they work towards all year round — so needless to say they’re happy it’s back this year.

“That’s our busiest time of year, our Christmas, our Boxing Day, Easter, it’s everything all put together, the lead up into and during Stampede,” said Ben Gerwing, the director of Alberta Boot Company.

“My dad ran the company for 30 years, he retired ten or so years ago and I’ve been helping since I was a young kid, helping with Stampede and that grew in the business over the years.”

Gerwing’s grandfather founded the company in 1978 where it stayed a close-knit family business.

“We also do stock orders for the RCMP as well — every single member gets a pair of boots,” said Gerwing.

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The company provides boots for police forces across North America, and they’re the sole supplier for the RCMP.

During the pandemic — they were able to not only survive but thrive due to their high demand.

Gerwing says that’s a testament to the workmanship of the boots.

“We’ve had people who’ve bought boots from us when we first started in the late ’70s and early ’80s that still have that original pair – they’ve just had them re-soled a couple of times.”

Alberta Boot Co. has a pop-up shop on Stephen Avenue for those who are Stampeding this year – something the company is proud to play a major role in dressing people up for.

“People, when they’re thinking Calgary Stampede, cowboy, western culture and cowboy culture in general – people’s thoughts go to the boot.”