Wohlford & Company

Born and raised in Vancouver, Hall Risk vividly recalls getting his "ass kicked" in high school by a pair of Dayton Boots. Despite this not-so-fond memory,  Hall still gets nostalgic talking about the iconic company.

Dayton Boots was founded in 1946 by Charlie Wohlford, who it seems had quite the knack for fixing his logging buddies' boots. Soon, these same guys were bugging him to actually make boots for them. Thus, a Vancouver legend was born.

Hall grew up in Dayton Boots. Both his father and grandfather wore Dayton caulks (spike-soil logging boots). “No one else makes boots like this; they're old school and incredibly well-made right here in East Vancouver,” he says with pride. “Charlie’s footwear helped build this province.”

In 2012, Hall came to the East Van shop to get a pair of his beloved boots fixed. When the previous owner told him he was ready to retire, Hall took that as a sign and decided to purchase the business.

“I mean, this is Dayton Boots!” says Hall, as if to say ‘come on, who wouldn’t buy it if they could?’ “I was actually looking to invest in a Vancouver company, so this was the perfect opportunity.”