The smell of leather and shoe shine fills your nose as you enter Carter’s Boots and Repair, a welcome scent met by a welcoming pup. Tawnie the dog, listed as Head of Morale on the company's website, holds down the fort as you’re greeted by the Carters themselves. At first glance, the shop seems retail-oriented with shelves and racks adorned with vests and hats. But it’s behind the counter where the magic happens. Sewing machines older than the store itself find themselves scattered between the shoes and purses. Lasts and pliers are strewn across desktops, and of course, the warming perfume of leather creates centuries-old aromatherapy.
A bustling business on East Main Street, Carter’s Boots and Repair has been a Bozeman staple since 1994. Jeff Carter, a cobbler for over 40 years now, his son Garrett, and leatherworker Robert Leonard are the masterminds behind the business, repairing shoes, belts, purses, etc. from all around the country. “We’ll get a couple of repairs shipped in each week… it’s hard to find a place like this now,” Garrett Carter explained.
Carter’s is one of the few existing cobbler shops still around. With a wide variety of boot styles and leathers - and an even wider variety of services - it’s hard to beat what you get at Carter’s. “Repairs are a constant, we’re always finding new ways to repair stuff,” Garrett noted. The services they offer include fixing purses and belts, as well as resoling and reheeling shoes, applying patchwork and stitching on old or damaged leather, and fixing custom-ordered boots.
“We grew about 25% last year,” Garrett shared - this growth has led them to seek out a stand alone location, and within the year Carter’s will find a home in the building where the Paint Pot used to be at 549 East Main. “This will add about another 100 square feet,” he mentioned, hoping it will allow them to have a little more independence with their space. Keep an eye out for the black and green logo going up next to the Music Villa this September.
Carter’s is a Bozeman treasure: The shop has a lot to offer not only in terms of boots and services but in its ability to make customers feel at home. Every person who walks through the door is treated as an honored guest, and the atmosphere of the store feels genuine and homey. With inviting and friendly service and prices that are hard to beat, Carter’s has become a well-deserved staple to many Bozemanites and Montanans alike. Like Garrett Carter said himself, it’s hard to find many stores nowadays that will make you feel like you’re part of the family. Next time you’re in the market for some new boots, or are just looking to fix yours up a bit, come on down to Carter’s for an experience you won’t likely get anywhere else.