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 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 Thursday morning at the family-owned business's headquarters in Scranton, where operations began in 1928.
Social media erupted with reactions as former customers shared memories of the durable boots. "Wore Eagle boots through three decades of construction work - they outlasted every competitor," tweeted @HardHatMike, a post that gained over 15,000 likes by afternoon.
The closure reflects broader challenges facing U.S. footwear manufacturing. Only about 1% of shoes purchased in America are now domestically produced, down from 50% in the 1960s, according to industry trade groups.
Local officials expressed concern about the economic impact on Scranton, where Eagle was among the last major industrial employers. Pennsylvania's Department of Labor is scheduling job fairs to help displaced workers, many of whom had decades of tenure.
Company president Robert Eagle III fought back tears during the announcement. "This decision wasn't made lightly," he said. "We held on as long as we could, but the math no longer works."
Remaining inventory will be sold through August, with a company spokesperson noting "unprecedented demand" since news of the closure broke. Industry analysts suggest the brand name might be acquired, though no buyers have come forward yet.
The factory's distinctive red brick smokestack, emblazoned with the Eagle logo, has been a Scranton landmark since the Truman administration. Its future remains uncertain as the property goes up for sale.
