Old Town Spring carries a particular charm in the early months of the year. Cool air, open storefronts, and a gentle anticipation as Houston edges toward rodeo season. It’s the time of year when boots come down from the shelf and Houstonians decide whether they’re ready for the dust, music, and long nights at NRG Park.
While many run out to a local store for a new pair of boots, those in the know head to Buffalo Custom Boots and Repair, a fourth-generation family business on Gentry Street, now led by Ana Cerrillo. Her family’s leatherworking legacy stretches back decades, rooted in quiet skill rather than spectacle. Among Houston’s discerning boot owners, the shop is considered a trusted artisan rather than a retail stop.
Though Buffalo Custom Boots offers belts, leather goods, and a curated selection of pre-made boots, repair work is its cornerstone. Ana approaches each pair with preservation in mind—restitching, resoling, conditioning, and reshaping boots that often hold years of personal history.
However, the shop’s most compelling offering is its fully bespoke boots, crafted from any leather a customer can dream up. Exotic hides, traditional cuts, modern silhouettes—it’s all on the table. As Ana often tells clients: “Your only limitation is your own imagination.”
For proud Houstonians, this isn’t indulgence; it’s legacy. A pair of custom boots becomes part of one’s personal aesthetic—timeless, tailored, and built to age gracefully.
With the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo only weeks away, the workshop is already humming. January and February bring in those who want their favorites refreshed or a new pair made to stand out in the Wine Garden, at concerts, or during corporate nights at the Rodeo. Modern rodeo style has grown more refined—cleaner lines, elegant stitching, muted tones with subtle flair—and Ana’s work fits seamlessly into that evolution.
Her boots aren’t showy unless requested. More often, they signal confident restraint: naturally finished leathers, precise craftsmanship, and a weight that speaks to an old-world tradition. For anyone preparing a polished rodeo wardrobe, a visit here is as essential as a trip to the hatter.
Beyond rodeo season, the shop remains a cornerstone of Old Town Spring’s artisan identity. Step inside and you’ll find a place where the time-honored craft is personal, where Ana knows not just your name but also how your heels tend to wear down, and where handmade still means something.
As we gear up for our biggest and favorite season, Buffalo Custom Boots offers more than footwear—it offers heritage, artistry, and a reminder that some things are best made slowly and made well.
For those who prefer to “Love Local,” consider swinging by Old Town Spring to ensure your boots—and your style—are rodeo ready. After all, as Ana puts it, the only limit is your imagination.
“Your only limitation is your own imagination.” - Ana Cerrillo, Buffalo Custom Boots and Repair