Carter’s Boots and Repair has been a part of the Bozeman community for 30 years and to celebrate that anniversary, they will be throwing a party in July which will also include a huge boot giveaway! What’s not to love about free boots?
Originally known as Carter’s Cobbler Shop, the business started out on East Main in 1994. “My dad Jeff Carter is the 3rd generation and I am the 4th,” said Garrett Carter. Dad had formerly worked for Schnee’s but eventually got the machinery himself.” Carters was originally just a repair shop then and the retail was added in 1997.
Garrett began working with his dad in 2015 just part-time and continued all through college. He runs many of the repairs, does most of the advertising and all of the online and social marketing. Jeff still oversees the entire operation and does a majority of the repairs himself, although not as much in their Kenetrek shop. “Repairs can be very simple, like just a rivet or a stitch, or they can be very complex, like a complete rebuild of a boot,” Jeff said. “We basically tear an item apart and put it back together. Using all new materials we repair an area that is torn, or dog chewed, or just worn out. I learned the basics from my old boss, taught myself a lot of stuff through the years and then passed that down to Garrett and other employees as needed.” When asked if he has a favorite type of boot, Jeff said, “I really like all kinds, but they can be very different. It all has to be handmade though, I wouldn’t waste my time if they weren’t.” Jeff said he likes work boots like the Nicks, Franks and Whites, hunting boots like Kenetrek and cowboy boots such as Black Jack.
“One aspect is comfort support and functionality, the other is beauty,” he said. “Leather is a beautiful, functional medium to work with so the cowboy boots can be all of those practical things and art, too.”
Carter’s can also provide custom boots. “When we order a custom boot, we will measure and fit for the perfect boot, and completely design it with you every step of the way,” Jeff said. “Every single thing that you see on a boot can be designed to your desires or specifications. From the toe and the heel to the color, stitch, height, and scallop, you name it we do it,” he said.
One thing Garrett is very excited about is all the space in their new location. “We are adding more boots to our store all the time and we can now offer more products that we wanted to carry for years but didn’t have the space,” he said.
In a world of rushing around and cheap throw-away things, Carter’s strives to take the time to do things right, whether it’s repairing a much loved pair of old boots or getting someone into the perfect pair of new boots they can fall in love with. “We want to give the best customer service that is possible and develop lasting community relationships,” Jeff said. “It’s what we do.”
Carter’s strives to take the time to do things right, whether it’s repairing a much loved pair of old boots or getting someone into the perfect pair of new boots they can fall in love with.