Alden Shoe Company

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Alden Shoe Company
Company typePrivate
IndustryApparel
Founded1884
FounderCharles H. Alden
HeadquartersMiddleborough, Massachusetts
Websitewww.aldenshoe.com

The Alden Shoe Company is an American shoe company founded in 1884 by Charles H. Alden in Middleborough, Massachusetts.[1] Alden specializes in handcrafted men's leather boots and dress shoes, such as Oxfords, Blüchers, loafers, and Chukka boots.

History

In the 19th century, there were once hundreds of shoemakers in New England, but now Alden is one of only a few factories. Alden is considered a heritage, family-owned brand.[1][2] Many of the company's roughly 100 workers at its factory in Middleborough are second or third generation,[1] and it sources its leathers mostly from small tanneries in Europe and the U.S. – its shell cordovan comes from the last such tannery in America, Horween Leather Company.[2] Alden has used Horween as their leather supplier since 1930, and is their largest cordovan customer.[3][4][5]

In 2021, former CFO Richard Hajjar pled guilty to embezzlement of over $30 million from the company of which some $17 million he had transferred to business run by his partner Bianca de la Garza.[6]

Commercial resilience

Along with other brands of Americana,[7] Alden has experienced something of a resurgence in 21st century men's fashion.[8] Despite a recession in the late-2000s and the relatively high prices of their products, Alden has grown again because of a renewed interest in more traditional men's shoes and boots, which can last decades.[1] It is this reliance on high-end shoes, especially by those interested in business attire, that has allowed the company to avoid going under despite the decline of American shoe manufacturing.

In popular culture

Alden model 405 is commonly referred to as the "Indy boot" because they were worn by Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones.[9][10]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "At Their Feet, Crafted by Hand". The New York Times. April 20, 2011.
  2. ^ a b "All-American Team". Forbes. September 15, 2008.
  3. ^ "A Brief History « Horween Leather Company". Horween.com. Archived from the original on July 5, 2013. Retrieved March 28, 2013.
  4. ^ Horween Leather Company. encyclopedia.com. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
  5. ^ "Horween's leather bound by tradition". Chicago Tribune. October 27, 2003. Retrieved March 27, 2013.
  6. ^ Voss, Gretchen (June 13, 2021). "The Man Who Fell to Earth". Boston Magazine.
  7. ^ "Authentic Americana". Newsweek. January 31, 2009.
  8. ^ "A Belt, a Brief, and a Man's Heart Skips a Beat". The New York Times. September 9, 2009.
  9. ^ "The Boots of Indiana Jones". indygear.com. Retrieved May 8, 2011.
  10. ^ Alden Indy boot toddsnyder.com


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