Shoes with Soul | Comstock's magazine

Business at the WAL is booming for Benjamins Shoe Corp. Since owner Benjamin Schwartz opened at the new location, what began as a side hobby has expanded into a full shop that ships internationally, offering shoe styles for both men and women.

Eight years ago Schwartz was an aspiring film producer in the middle of creating his first TV show when he stumbled upon his true calling as a cordwainer (a fancy word for shoemaker).

“The show’s premise focused on international travel and all aspects of fine living, which included bits on a lot of handmade, custom items” explains Schwartz.“ Because of the show, I met a lot of people working in menswear and came out of that experience somehow more interested in shoes than film.”

Inspired, he bought an old textbook on the artistry of shoemaking and spent years teaching himself the trade.

“When I first started I made a pattern off an old pair of Vans, cut up some pants and started making lace ups. From there I got into cutting soles and finding more and more resources for different pieces needed to make shoes” Schwartz explains.

Now, Schwartz and his hip, handmade shoes can be found in his shop, Benjamins Shoe Corporation, located at the Warehouse artist lofts on 11th and R streets in midtown Sacramento.

But if you want a pair of Schwartz’s custom-made shoes, don’t expect them to come quickly. Schwartz says it takes about 10 hours to make one pair. To accommodate the growing demand for his products, he’s hired apprentice August Larson (pictured back left) and increased the initial 5-week turnaround to 12 weeks. Even so, Schwartz insists his customers have remained patient.

“In a time when everyone wants everything right now, people have surprisingly been so supportive and willing to wait for the high quality,” Schwartz says.

Currently there are three styles available to choose from. The Classic (pictured),The House Shoe and the Peacoat Double Monk.

“All the shoes are made to order, so when I am working on a pair, I have the person who placed the order in mind,” says Schwartz.

“There is something so cool about knowing I’m not just making shoes that I hope someone will eventually want to buy one day. What I make belongs to the customer before it’s ever even made and that definitely impacts the process.” Schwartz says.