Rancourt & Co.

New Locally Grown pop-up shop opens in Des Moines

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:17:56 +0000

Our good friend Fred Scott at Locally Grown clothing company in Des Moines, Iowa is opening a made in USA pop-up shop. Lucky you, Des Moines.

NorthernGrade San Francisco

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:15:40 +0000

We were fortunate enough to take part in the inaugural NorthernGrade SF on June 1st. The first few hours of the event were great, new customers were there to buy shoes. While traffic slowed a bit in the afternoon we still enjoyed meeting some new and some current customers of Rancourt & Co.

We also never complain about an opportunity to throw back a few drinks with our fellow American-made compatriots. Thanks to those that came out to see us and we look forward to returning next year.

Due North Vol. 2

Thu, 30 May 2013 10:23:40 +0000

On the importance of Japanese retailers to US manufacturing companies in the fashion business
Read Due North Vol. 2 here

New Summer Collection for Taylor Stitch

Thu, 23 May 2013 15:41:36 +0000

As part of our ongoing partnership with Taylor Stitch in San Francisco we've launched a Spring/Summer collection.

Shop our new summer collection for Taylor Stitch here

Spring 2013 Lookbook

Tue, 07 May 2013 12:29:20 +0000

Our Spring 2013 lookbook features the following new women's styles: Tassel Loafers - Taupe Suede, Camp-moc - Navy Suede, Camp-moc - Blood Orange Suede, Pinch Penny Loafers - Brown Chromexcel, Boat Shoe - Navy/Grey Suede and Mid Boot - Taupe Suede

Also included are the Read Boat Shoe - Brown Chromexcel and 4-eye Ranger-moc - Brown Chroemxcel both from our Men's Ready Made Collection.

Shirts on her from Taylor Stitch and on him from Jack Robie, New England Shirt Co. and Jack Spade

Denim on her from Tellason and on him from Jack Spade. 12oz. duck canvas pants on him from Good Acre

more to come for Summer 2013.

New Lactae Hevea soles

Mon, 06 May 2013 13:43:06 +0000

One of the results of my trip to France back in January was getting to select some brand new Lactae Hevea soles in person. The Reltex factory tucked away in the hills of Virieu, France produces the best soles in the world from 100% natural latex. Their latest creation is called the Aspen and will be hitting our website on a collection of chromexcel ranger-mocs in the coming weeks.

Taylor Stitch Suiting and Beefroll Penny Loafers

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:44:58 +0000

Taylor Stitch launched custom men's suiting this past year with a pop-up shop in San Francisco. Next up is a ready made, unstructured denim suit, which pairs perfectly with our beefroll penny loafers. Photo evidence below.

Due North, Vol. 1 by Kyle Rancourt

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 10:33:53 +0000

Kyle Rancourt will be writing a monthly column in Well Spent's weekly feature spot, Vol. 1 is about the challenges of finding craftspeople to make shoes in Maine. Read it here

Crafting shoes since 1964

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:27:08 +0000

In 1964, my grandfather, David Rancourt, opted out of joining his father's lucrative logging business in Northern Maine and Canada to learn the handsewn moccasin trade. In the years since, David, my father Michael, and me (Kyle), have made shoes for some of the most iconic American brands including the original Quoddy Moccasin, Cole-Haan, Allen-Edmonds, and Red Wing. In 2010, more than four decades of shoemaking experience culminated in the launch of the first brand to bear the Rancourt name. Today, we use our three generations of knowledge, experience, and passion for shoemaking to bring you some of the finest shoes made in the United States of America.

We are proud that all of our shoes are made, literally by hand, in our factory in Maine that we own and operate. There are no investors or outside interests. My father and I own 100% of the business and handle all of the operations on a daily basis. We both live within three miles of the factory and could not imagine trying to manage this business from afar. We are, truly, a family business. We employ many members of the same family, including our own. Not only do we believe that this fosters an environment of trust but also a passion for the success of our business. Our greatest goal is to see the shoemaking trade in Maine thrive. We thank you for being a part of it.

Short List of USA Shoe Manufacturers

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:08:44 +0000

This is a list of companies and brands that own their own factories and manufacture their own products in the USA. The do not contract with factories like ours. If you think someone important is missing from this list add it to the comments. Always buy from the manufacturer, it makes a difference. You'll typically get the best prices, the customer service will be knowledgeable on construction, materials, and sizing, and if something goes wrong they'll know how to fix it.

Rancourt & Co. Shoecrafters
http://www.rancourtandcompany.com/

Alden
http://www.aldenshoe.com

Red Wing
http://www.redwingshoes.com/

Allen Edmonds
http://www.allenedmonds.com/

Quoddy
http://www.quoddy.com/

Russell Moccasin
http://www.russellmoccasin.com/

White's Boots
http://www.whitesboots.com/

Genesco / Parent company of Johnston & Murphy
http://www.johnstonmurphy.com/group.aspx?name=men/usa (beware: most shoes not manufactured in USA)

Danner
http://www.danner.com/

Chippewa / Justin Boots
http://www.chippewaboots.com/
http://www.justinboots.com/en/

Wesco
http://www.westcoastshoe.com/wesco/home.asp

New Balance (beware: very few styles actually produced in the USA)
http://www.newbalance.com/

Weinbrenner / Thorogood
http://www.weinbrennerusa.com/dspNavCategory.cfm?rootID=