After a devastating fire earlier this year, a beloved boot shop in East Vancouver is on its way to reopening in a new location.
In the early hours of April 23, a massive fire erupted on East Hastings Street, prompting the Vancouver fire crews into action.
The flames were extinguished shortly after 4 a.m., averting further damage. The bustling block remained closed for hours until total extinguishment at 1 p.m.
Among the establishments lost in the fire were The Indian Chefs Kitchen and Bar, Windsor Meats, and the iconic Dayton Boots (also known as Wohlford & Co.), along with several neighboring businesses.
Now, at the revamped Dayton Boots, the shelves are once again stocked, albeit with a fresh new look.
Shoemaker Amy Slosky shared, “We’ve been gradually salvaging items from the old location and relocating them here to rebuild what we can.”
Decades of craftsmanship were lost in the fire, with only a few pieces of equipment salvaged and boots rescued from water damage.
Despite the setback, Slosky proudly displayed a beautifully restored boot, remarking, “They look as good as new, you’d never guess they went through a fire.”
Following the tragic incident, the community rallied together to support the shop’s revival. Dayton Boots is now operating from a donated space in Vancouver’s Strathcona district, outfitted with furniture from a Hudson’s Bay liquidation sale.
Additionally, the new location provides artist Tyler Toews, who lost his studio in the fire, a place to continue his creative endeavors.
Toews expressed his gratitude, stating, “Losing my studio was a significant blow, but thanks to the shop owners, I have a new space to paint.”
While there is still work to be done, Dayton Boots aims to welcome customers back to its showroom by the upcoming fall season.