Sole man
Sole Man
At the age of 19, Durango’s Mervin “Merv” Stilson started making shoes and never looked back (except for the time he made a Western-style jacket for Neil Young). Some may remember him from his cobbling days at the late Landis Boot & Shoe Repair. They will be happy to know he still emulates the grassroots shoemaker, working from a basement studio filled with hand tools, polish and an 80-year-old stitching machine. Here’s a look: