smirak Report post Posted July 31, 2015 So, I'm tooling around Boston yesterday with the family on a much needed break from work (I live about 2.5 hrs from Boston). Wife has a couple pair of Frye boots that she's had for some time, and a pair of 60s vintage boots that have worn wonderfully. Anyway, I had no desire to go to the store previous to my short time that I've invested in leatherworking. However, after I started working with leather, I wanted to go into the store. I walked around and took pics of a ton of bags and wallets for purposes of recreating examples of bags that my wife likes that I'm too cheap to spend upwards of $500 on. I thought that by doing so, I might have been "invading their privacy" a bit. The girl that was helping my wife spend my money found out I worked with leather and instead of saying something to the effect of "you can't do that", she said "here, let me show you some bags and how we put them together." Granted, she's just a retail clerk, but she was super helpful. When we got through looking at some bags, she said "if you like leatherwork, let me show you these shoes." She brought out a pair of cordovan for me to slip on my feet. They went on like butter and were extremely comfortable and nice looking. They were $798. I didn't buy them. However, the wife did walk out with 3 new pairs of boots and I bought a pair of boots and a pair of chukkas for work. There are only 4 flagship stores in the US, but 4 more are opening soon. I am in no way affiliated with them, but figure I would pass along my recent experience with them for anyone that may have had a question or just curious. Also, they are military friendly and offer a 20% discount on pretty much everything for military and veterans. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MonicaJacobson Report post Posted July 31, 2015 I love frye. I read a rumor that they were bought out by a Hong Kong based something-or-another, so I have wondered, in passing, if their quality will change. But so far, everything seems good. I've certainly loved the two pairs I own. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smirak Report post Posted July 31, 2015 Monica...you'll certainly be pleased to know that Atlanta is opening a store (I believe on Ponce somewhere) in the summer of 2015. Their corp headquarters is in the Empire State Bldg with an US facility in Arkansas and another manufacturing facility in Mexico somewhere. The chukkas I have on my feet right now feel like they were made for my feet with just about 4 hours of wear so far...very satisfied with my first purchase from them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MonicaJacobson Report post Posted July 31, 2015 That's great! I'll have to stop by and take a look at their bags, myself! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smirak Report post Posted July 31, 2015 I do like the look of their bags. From what I've seen of yours, compared to theirs, yours look really good. I think they're two different styles of bags, but both look good and I know my wife would proudly walk around with either! Kevin Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MonicaJacobson Report post Posted July 31, 2015 Ha, thanks, Kevin. Yes, definitely a different look. My stuff is more simplistic - though I am working on a upping the complexity of my bag making. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frankqv Report post Posted August 6, 2015 Grew up in Boston,Visited the original Frye factory when I was a youngster (1960's). I remember the conveyors moving the unfinished hides through an area with automated spray arms,and then heated blowers. First clicker I saw was in the cutting area,didn't know what it was at the rime,there were a lot of them. Too young to notice types of sewing machines,sewing was all freehand,hundreds. They had an outlet store in the Marlboro plant. I think my engineer boots cost about 8 bucks . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Frye_Company Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
