Canadian footwear retailer Australian Boot Company opens second West Coast location in Gastown

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      Twenty-one years after opening its first Vancouver outpost, Australian Boot Company, the largest purveyor of Blundstone footwear outside Australia, has opened its second location in the city—and fourth one overall—at 104 Water Street.

      Unmissable thanks to its fluorescent orange facade, the 1,600-square-foot shop is stocked with a wide assortment of men’s and women’s footwear from two legendary Australian-born labels, Blundstone and R.M. Williams, and Denmark’s equally revered Glerups. In fact, the Toronto-founded retailer has the largest selection of shoes from the brands in Canada. 

      Both Blundstone and R.M. Williams are known for their leather ankle boots; Blundstone produces a rugged, lace-free variety, while R.M. Williams makes dressier, handcrafted leather offerings. Glerups, which are showcased in a separate nook in the shop, manufactures 100-percent-wool slippers that are meant to be worn outside the house.

      Impeccably crafted and designed to last, these products are described by the Australian Boot Company as "cradle to the grave" necessities. "In the last few years, we've found that there's growing demand [for Blundstones, R.M. Williams, and Glerups]," store manager Shea Lindenberg tells the Straight during an interview at shop, "and we found that Gastown was an underserviced area as far as footwear goes."

      In addition, Vancouverites will find a small assortment of socks from accessory brands such as Stance in the space, plus boot waxes and leather salves and soaps that help protect shoes from wear. Complimentary boot shines and leather conditioning for Blundstone and R.M. Williams footwear—regardless of where they have been purchased—are available instore, too.

      Founded in 1994, the Australian Boot Company introduced Vancouverites to Blundstone and R.M. Williams when it opened the doors to its Kitsilano shop (1968 West 4th Avenue) in 1996. It also operates two additional stores in Toronto.

      Check out the images below for a peek at the shop before you visit IRL.

      Lucy Lau
      Lucy Lau
      Lucy Lau
      Lucy Lau
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      Follow Lucy Lau on Twitter @lucylau.

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