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TIME TO GET EXCITED | UPDATE ON SHED 2 |
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As they say (they being us, often) "good things take time". Well, we've been patiently awaiting the council's approval of our planned expansion into the shed next door. This beautiful old building was cut in half during the subdivision in 2017. We're finally making her whole again!
With a stamp of approval from the City of Ballarat now proudly adorning our plans, we're just about ready to get going on the expansion... new shop space, more workshop space and a whole bunch of new and exciting ideas. As we've been saying "we're doubling everything this year"; New baby, new staff and a beautiful new space. I't's going to be a lot, but we're rolling our sleeves up and we're excited to get started in earnest.
We’re not there yet, but thought you might enjoy a little update on what’s in the works through some pictures. We'll keep you updated as things progress.
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The good things that have been taking up our time
There have been a lot of moving parts flying around behind the scenes over the past year or so; it's nice to finally be seeing some of them settle into place.
For the entire time we've been in Ballarat, we've dreamed of someday busting through the party wall separating the two halves of our old munitions "general store". But, what would we do with all that space!? Where on earth would we find the people with the required skills to occupy it? Afterall, there's not a lot of point having an enormous warehouse with no skilled hands to fill it. Well that changed when a couple with a little over 60 years experience at that big old joint in SA who make boots (what was their name again?) walked in our door and asked if we had a job for them. To be honest, we didn't... but we said we did anyway! It's really not all that often that people who know anything much at all about this industry offer to move to town for you, so how could we not lie through our teeth. Basically, that set in motion a pretty remarkable set of events. Some persausive conversations with the old owners of the other half of our shed, a few trips to Melbourne in a truck rescuing machinery from the scrap heap, and a whole bunch of plotting and planning. And here we are. Simple, hey?
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We're excited to share with you all some of the things we've been working on. We're trying to expand our range of ready-to-wear boots, we're working on putting to use some of the machinery we've recently acquired and most of all, we're working really hard to build something that we hope every one of us can be proud of: a thriving little enterprise that sustains excellence in craftsmanship and honours years of dedication from all of our team and a place where we can bring up the next generation of craftspeople.
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Speaking of next generation, the "doubling of everything" is going swimmingly in that regard too. Bo (and Krys) are settling back into work brilliantly. Bo is spending a lot of time being doted upon by the team and customers alike. Needless to say, she (and all of us) are loving it. She's a delight.
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BLACK BOOT PRE-SALE |
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We’ve been asked a lot recently when we might offer a black Original as part of the range. Well, here we are. We thought we’d test the waters with a pre‑sale to get a feel for the appetite — and to see which of our Originals (Jack, Gordon or Smith) is the strongest contender for a potential black in permanent rotation.
Black has been sitting on the “one day” list for a while, but with everything shifting and growing this past year, it finally feels like the right moment to put it out there and let you tell us what you actually want. Maybe it’s the clean lines of the Jack, maybe it’s the Gordon’s sturdiness, maybe it’s the Smith’s more relaxed shape. We’ve got our guesses, but the fun part is seeing where you land.
The pre‑order is live now on the website, running through to July 31st. It’s simply a way for us to listen properly — to see which style you reach for first, and whether black deserves a long‑term place in the Originals lineup. If it does, brilliant. If it doesn’t, at least we’ve given it a fair run.
Click on the images below to be taken to their pages.
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HERMANN OAK HARNESS BELT |
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Hopefully you'll be seeing a lot more belts and leathergoods here from now on. This new belt is an incredibly hefty Hermann Oak leather harness number, with solid brass hardware, designed to age and patina with wear.
You can find it here.
In the past year or so, three of Melbourne's most long‑standing and established belt‑making companies have decided to close their doors. It's a bloody tough call — some generations in the making. We've been fortunate enough to take on some of their legacy with the purchase of some machines, to continue in some small way the traditions that might otherwise have faded away.
We've always made belts, bags and of course boots. We just don't talk about them enough. But as we expand our team and our space, we’re hopeful to keep all of these trades and traditions alive and kicking, and give them a new and permanent home. We're super excited to share all the new additions with you.
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INTRODUCING THE JACK ORIGINAL GUSSET BOOT IN COCOA |
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Introducing the Jack Original Gusset Boot in Cocoa.
The Originals are our ready‑to‑wear boots, designed to be available whether you’re able to visit us in Ballarat or are buying online. They’re a limited collection of our most popular styles offered in one fixed configuration — not customisable like the Heritage range, but built to the same standard and with the same materials you know us for.
The Jack Original is a wholecut Chelsea gusset boot made from a single piece of locally tanned Victorian bovine leather. The leather is thick yet supple, giving you a durable, comfortable boot that will mould and age with the wearer. Each pair is hand‑finished in‑house.
Cocoa is a darker brown than our Teak — think more 70% chocolate compared to Teak’s milk‑chocolate hue — giving the boot a slightly dressier, deeper tone while still showing off the character of the leather.
The sole is McKay‑welted for durability and support, and the black nitrile rubber outsole is made locally in South Australia. It’s a straightforward, honest build — the kind of boot that settles in quickly and holds up for years.
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WE APPRECIATE THE LOVE |
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It struck us today just how incredibly fortunate we are to have people travelling some distance to see us. One day recently, we had visitors from Townsville and from forty kilometres south of Hobart make the trip to our wee workshop in Ballarat to try on our boots.
We’re humbled and honoured that you’re going so far out of your way to seek us out. Your support is what keeps the doors open, the lights on (and importantly at the moment, the heater), and our wee team smiling. Thank you.
So, if you’re packing a bag — even if it’s not one of ours — where are you heading? What’s inspiring a pilgrimage?
It’s remarkable how a craft can bring people together, both in person and across the globe. This year alone we’ve sent boots to Israel, Canada, the USA, Italy, Spain, Belgium and many more. Our tiny minds are blown; we never imagined a weeny workshop in an old munitions factory in Ballarat would be noticed by so many.
We’re grateful — every one of you who finds your way to us. Thank you.
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IT'S A LITTLE THING, BUT LACES MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE |
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It’s a little thing, but laces make all the difference to the look of a boot. Paracord gives a tougher, more utilitarian edge; round waxed laces clean everything up with a sharper, more classic profile; and flat waxed laces lean dressier, pulling the boot into a more refined space. Swap them out and the whole boot shifts — same leather, same build, completely different feel. All three lace styles are available across our ranges in various lengths, with custom lengths made to order if you need something specific.
That’s the beauty of it. A simple lace change lets you steer the look wherever you want it to go — more rugged, more polished, more relaxed, more formal — without touching anything else. It’s the smallest detail, but often the thing that makes the whole boot look just right.
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SHOP HOURS |
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Our regular shop hours are:
Friday and Saturday 10 - 4
As a production update, with an unprecedented uptick in demand, we’re now seeing new made-to-order footwear with completion dates reaching into early 2027.
WOOTTEN WORKSHOP
Shed 1, 20 Elizabeth Street
Delacombe VIC 3356 (in Ballarat)
Just put Wootten Ballarat into your Google Maps
03 9510 6503
workshop @ wootten.com.au
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