Parkhurst

Named after the street where Svisco's grandfather lived throughout his life, Parkhurst emerged from the founder's transition from working as a stock analyst in finance to boot manufacturing. Inspired by his grandfather's experience as a steelworker who regularly lost jobs when companies moved production overseas, Svisco established Parkhurst with a mission focusing on materials, design, and value while maintaining manufacturing connections to American craftsmanship traditions.

The company initially partnered with the PW Minor factory in Western New York before adapting to a hybrid manufacturing model that combines Spanish and Portuguese primary production with final assembly and finishing performed at their Buffalo warehouse.

Parkhurst was launched in Fall 2018 following Andrew Svisco's decision to leave his career as a stock analyst in finance. Svisco departed his day job in July 2018, spending the summer and early fall preparing for the launch, and officially established Parkhurst in October 2018. The company name honors Svisco's grandfather, who lived his entire life on Parkhurst Street.

The inspiration for founding Parkhurst came from Svisco's grandfather's experiences as a steelworker who regularly lost employment when companies relocated production overseas. This personal connection to American manufacturing shaped the company's initial focus on domestic production and fair pricing. Svisco's motivation emerged when he became interested in American-made boots but found many existing options prohibitively expensive, leading him to establish a company with the goal of making quality boots available "right around $300—or the mid-$300 mark" using components from world-renowned tanneries.

Parkhurst's manufacturing approach has evolved substantially since its founding. Initially, the company partnered with PW Minor footwear factory in Western New York, a facility that had operated in various forms since 1867. However, PW Minor closed permanently in October 2018, coinciding with Parkhurst's launch.

From PW Minor's closure emerged Artisan Boot & Shoe under new ownership, utilizing the same manufacturing space, equipment, and many longtime employees. This transition allowed Parkhurst to maintain its manufacturing partnership during the company's early period.

The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted Parkhurst's manufacturing network, with the vast majority of both US-based suppliers and all domestic manufacturers closing permanently. None of these facilities reopened following the pandemic.

Parkhurst currently operates a hybrid manufacturing model where primary production occurs in Spain and Portugal, while final assembly and finishing touches are performed at the company's warehouse in Buffalo, New York. The company sources components and raw materials domestically from distributors, tanneries, and manufacturers located in Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Illinois, Ohio, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Parkhurst specializes in Goodyear-welted boots using construction methods employed since the mid-1800s. The boots feature genuine, vegetable-tanned leather Goodyear welts with a split reverse welt style that helps prevent water entry at the welt-to-sole junction. Construction includes a vegetable-tanned leather midsole made from outsole-grade leather and a 3.5mm vegetable-tanned bends leather insole processed using oak tree bark oils.

Parkhurst's boot lineup includes several core models built primarily on the 602M last. The Allen serves as the company's flagship plain-toe service boot, while the Delaware features cap-toe styling. Additional models include the Spaulding wingtip brogue, Richmond, Elmwood, Niagara, Bidwell, and Bidwell 2.0. Each model features specific design elements and construction details covered in their respective articles.

Upper leather materials are sourced from established tanneries including Horween, Seidel, C.F. Stead, and Spanish tanneries. The leather selection encompasses Chromexcel, vegetable-tanned varieties, and natural Dublin leathers. Horween Chromexcel specifically undergoes 89 separate processes requiring 28 working days and employs a "hot stuffing" technique using oils and waxes including food-grade beef tallow and cosmetic-grade beeswax.

Parkhurst boots are priced between $300-$350 for standard models, though custom-made boots with premium details command higher prices. The company offers factory seconds and samples featuring minor cosmetic flaws at discounted prices, with these imperfections presenting no impact on longevity, performance, or structural quality.