A master shoemaker from Italy is gaining interest in his craft after recently opening his shop in Eureka.
Although Eureka’s Sam Vasta has assisted locals with shoe repair and custom projects, it wasn’t until recently that the community learned the master shoemaker had opened his workshop. Despite being new to the community, Vasta has always had a passion for the Midwest and hoped one day to master his trade and focus on boot making.
His dream all began as a young boy. Vasta recalled visiting shops in Italy with his mother and taking it all in, the smell of leather, color schemes and the custom craftsmanship of shoemakers. “It truly is a niche trade,” he stated.
When he was just 11, his parents immigrated to the United States. He finished his adolescent years in New York state, where he later went to college and met his wife, Aga. After he finished his master’s degree, the couple moved to Aga’s homeland of Poland in 2001 and back to Italy a year later where he began his apprenticeship.
In 2005, they moved to Ireland, but returned to Italy in 2006 to finish his apprenticeship. Just three years later, the Vastas witnessed destruction as an earthquake destroyed many homes and businesses in the Abruzzo region of Italy, including the Vasta’s home and workshop. Shortly therea fter, the family began making plans to return to the St a t e s . They ret urned to New York in 2011 and moved to Vermont in 2018. With changes in the economy and other various reasons, the Vastas knew they wanted to relocate to the Midwest, as he wanted to focus more on boot making. In 2021, the Vastas came across a home for sale in Eureka and purchased it sight unseen in September of that year.
“It was pure coincidence or destiny, I guess,” Vasta said.
When he first arrived in Eureka, Vasta spent his time working on his house and later his workshop, a garage formerly behind a small neighboring property the family also purchased. The Vastas demolished the neighboring house and continue to make improve ments to both the home and workshop. He helps pay the bills by doing leather repair work and by making the hour-long trip to Wichita five days a week to work as an Uber driver.
In talking about the bootmaking business, Vasta noted that it is challenging to find customers willing to pay north of $1,000 for a pair of handmade cowboy boots. “It’s a niche business,” he stated. “But, in 2014, I began making belts and hand bags for those interested in the trade but unable to afford custom shoes.”
Vasta uses all premium materials from Italy and makes all products by hand, from start to finish. His workshop is filled with lasts (molds for shoes), various leather options and tools of the trade, including sewing machines. He has several custom-made products in his workshop with the shoes/boots being stamped on the bottom “fatto a mano” — made by hand. Many of the options feature brogging (holes placed in shoes in a custom design pattern). “Brogging was done by the Irish for cooling/airing out,” he stated. “The English liked the design,” he continued. Vasta noted that brogging is yet another way to customize the product for individual customers.
Vasta said he’s had some interest in custom boots, with hopes of launching a website soon to showcase his work. In the meantime, he said he’ll continue to pursue a passion that has taken him around the world.
Master Shoemaker Opens . . . . . .
“There’s something marvelous about the whole process where you see something come to life, so to speak, that was in your head initially,” he said during a recent interview by KMUW. “And then … to see the satisfaction and the happiness in the eyes of the clients, of course, when they receive something that reflects them, and they feel that it speaks of them when they wear them. “I really love it,” he concluded.
Those wishing to begin a custom order can contact Vasta at 802-210-5516, samvasta1911@ gmail.com or visit his workshop Monday-Friday, between 1-5 p.m., located at 601 E. 2nd Street, in Eureka.
Vasta and his wife Aga, who works at Eureka Nursing Center, reside in Eureka with their two daughters Nina and Abigail.
Editor’s note: Later this week, Vasta will be interviewed by KSN’s Positive Connections reporter Malley Jones. The segment is expected to be aired Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 10 p.m.
