AldenFactory
February 28, 2007
By: Tom Park
On January 29 and 30, two young men from Hawaii visited the cold New England factory of Alden Shoes.
Visiting the Alden Shoe Company Factory can be described as visiting heaven to some. It is best decribed however, as a true American shoe factory, dating back to the days when shoe factories were abundant in the New England area. Now in 2007, the Alden Shoe Company is the last true American shoe company left in the area, something that can be attributed to the strong values set forth by Mr. Alden, Mr. Tarlow, and the current President, Mr. Art Tarlow.
The Alden Shoe factory is unlike any other. It is meticulously clean, safe, well lit, and an efficient, well-run machine. It is small enough where everyone knows eachother by their first name, including Mr. Tarlow and Mr. Bob Clark, the company’s Vice President. While walking the factory’s grounds, you will see and hear both Mr. Tarlow and Mr. Clark saying hello and making small talk with the employees, calling each one by their first name.
This was my second visit to the Alden Shoe factory which made the whole process much more understandable and more awe-inspiring at the same time.
Make a left at Taunton Road…
In front of the factory. Much colder than Honolulu!
Meticulously checking each skin.
Bins of Alden lasts…
…some of which date back to 1950!
Made in America and proud of that fact.
With many years of experience.
Natural cork and classic steel shanks.
Our #1 seller in process.
Genuine handsewing on the Leisure Handsewn.
Goodyear welting.
Shaving down the outsole for a refined finish.
Leather Soul heelpads waiting to be installed.
Shoes ready to be boxed and shipped to Leather Soul!
Thank you for taking the time to learn a little about the Alden Shoe Factory. We, at Leather Soul, stand behind the Alden Shoe Company 100%. We appreciate the family atmosphere, the uncomprimised quality and dedication, and the commitment to keeping the business rooted to it’s New England history of fine shoemaking. Thank you Alden Shoe Company, Art Tarlow, Bob Clark, Rick and Jamie Hajjar, Nate Humble, gals in the Order Department, and everyone else who makes it possible to experience an Alden Shoe.
Aloha and Mahalo,
Tom