New Boutiques: Part 4

Jerome “Jerry” Ryan was decked out in the ill-est pointy-toed cowboy boots, made from Cayman crocodile leather, when we met him at Heritage Boot.

This Irish fella started selling cowboy boots in London back in the ’70s. Today he carries boots for both men and women, ranging from $225 and up. They're handmade in a factory in Leon – the customized pairs are made in the Rio Grande Valley.

There are '50s inspired straight-topped boots, boots with triple inlays and scalloped edges, and classic English tanned leather boots with black shafts. Then there are the edgier customized boots.

“Let me show you something,” Jerry says, logging onto his Web site to find a picture. “We made boots for Kris Kristofferson.”

Jerry was the man in charge of getting the country musician a pair of boots presented for this year’s Texas Legends award just over a week ago. The base of the boot is simple, made with vegetable-tanned Brazilian bullhide (because he’s plain and always wears the same pair of boots, Jerry says), but the shaft is inlayed with stars and guitars. And the guitars actually have real guitar strings.

(3100 South Congress, behind Strut; noon-6 Tuesday – Saturday, noon-5 Sunday, and by appointment Monday)

The 2nd Street District recently gained Peyton's Place. This tiny boutique carries trendy and affordable department store lines for women, such as Blue Plate, To The Max and Level 99, in addition to scented candles, Gal Pals (fancy-packaged deodorant removal sponges) and NuBra (essentially cutlets for your cupcakes).

The location and the variety of merchandise is perfect for hotel guests who don't have anything to wear.

(215 Lavaca St., 11-7 Monday – Saturday, 10-5 Sunday)

Future additions to 2nd Street District include Sana Boutique, opening in June; and Girl Next Door, moving from its Lamar location in July.

Photos courtesy of the boutique owners