M.L. Leddy’s Lands on New York Times Top 50 List

SAN ANGELO, TX — M.L. Leddy’s, a historic Texas bootmaker with a custom shop in San Angelo, has been named one of the top 50 clothing stores in the United States by The New York Times.

The Times recognized the company’s Fort Worth Stockyards location for its handmade boots, highlighting its leathers “ranging from calf to alligator,” and noting that the store carries boots in a wide range of styles and colors.

M.L. Leddy’s was founded in 1922 and now operates two locations in Texas — one in Fort Worth and the other in San Angelo at 222 South Oakes Street, where its custom boots are made. The company remains in its fourth generation of family ownership.

"M.L. Leddy may not have had aspirations of earning an international reputation for quality, handmade boots when he left his family cotton farm in 1918 — and he probably did not envision icon status when four years later he purchased the saddle and boot shop where he had been working in the small west Texas town of Brady," information from the company stated. "However, with self taught talent and the help of his brothers, M.L. achieved all of that and more.

"In 1922, saddle making and boot making were common trades," information from the company's website states. "What distinguished the Leddy brothers from other craftsmen was their desire to make only the best, and offer that product with unparalleled customer service. The 'Leddy' standard quickly became a tradition. By 1936, their reputation exceeded their borders and they moved their business to San Angelo, Texas. Demand for their products continued to expand and a second location was opened in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards in 1941."

According to the report, the Times list focused on independent stores that prioritize customer experience and in-person shopping. The newspaper described the selected stores as “distinctive and inspirational,” with most being small, independently owned businesses.

The Fort Worth shop features both custom and ready-to-wear Western items. The Times also noted that M.L. Leddy’s offers a wide selection of boots, including styles sized for children.

Leddy’s reacted to being chosen for the list by sending a “heartfelt Texas thank you” to The Times in a Facebook post.

Another Texas store to make the list was Mr. Larkin in Houston.