Eagle Shoe & Boot Co. To Close After 98 Years, Cutting 300 Jobs
Eagle Shoe & Boot Co. To Close After 98 Years, Cutting 300 Jobs...
Eagle Shoe & Boot Company, a nearly century-old American workwear manufacturer, announced Thursday it will cease operations by June 2026. The closure will eliminate 300 jobs at its Pennsylvania factory and end production of its iconic steel-toe boots worn by generations of blue-collar workers.
The company cited unsustainable competition from overseas manufacturers and rising material costs as key reasons for shutting down. Workers were notified during an emotional plant meeting Wednesday morning in Scranton, where the company has operated since 1928.
Social media erupted with reactions as third-generation employees shared photos of their final shifts. "My grandfather helped build these boots, now I'm boxing up the last ones," tweeted machinist Ryan O'Donnell, whose post went viral.
The closure reflects broader struggles in U.S. footwear manufacturing, with only 12 domestic shoe factories remaining operational nationwide. Eagle Shoe's distinctive orange stitching and eagle logo became symbols of American industrial pride, featured in films and worn by construction crews nationwide.
Pennsylvania officials confirmed they're exploring options to repurpose the 450,000-square-foot facility. Economic development specialists warn the shutdown will ripple through Scranton's supply chain, affecting local leather suppliers and trucking firms.
Loyal customers flooded the company's website Thursday, causing temporary crashes as buyers sought final pairs of the Made-in-USA boots. The company confirmed it will honor all existing warranties through 2027 via a third-party service.
This marks the end of an era for a company that supplied boots to WWII shipbuilders, 9/11 recovery crews, and every Appalachian Trail thru-hiker since 1972. Historians note Eagle Shoe outlasted 27 U.S. recessions but couldn't overcome 21st-century globalization pressures.
Workers will receive severance packages and job placement assistance, according to union representatives. The United Steelworkers Local 224 plans a public memorial event at the plant gates next month to commemorate the company's legacy.
