Well, I never made it to Michael’s shop last week…I got as far as San Rafael and turned back. Michael had me written on his calendar and then scribble the names of potential boot customers right over me. I’m gonna to go up later, and now Michael owes me breakfast at the little Pine Cone restaurant. Michael and I are very predictable…we always go to the Pine Cone…we order breakfast. I always forget that the waitress doesn’t drink coffee and I ask her which coffee she reccomends…then I end up picking one myself (I can never seem to remember which one it is)…then Michael and the waitress insult each other everytime they’re within 8 feet of eachother (okay maybe 12)…all morning long. Sebastopol is a small town….the Pine Cone is kinda Mayberry…kinda Honeymooners.
Anyway, while Michael was busy tryin’ to make a living….I went to the used tool store in San Rafael. I found an old Landis 5 ‘n’ 1. I wanted to try it out, but I didn’t have any leather with me…and it didn’t have a handle. $150.
I also went to the local western wear shop to keep an eye on the “shelf-boots”. French’s Hitching Post, Inc. sits right downtown on 2nd Street…and it sells a ton of boots. They boast “the largest selection of Lucchese West of the Mississippi”…42 styles I think. They’re one of the few shops that can still get Nocona to do custom make-ups. I chatted with John O’Neil about the ups and downs of the boot manufacturing biz. Anyway, they’ve got a nice family shop. If you give ’em a call tell ’em I sent you… (415) 453-6000.
