Giovanni D’Italia is proud to be a part of Hoboken’s history and community. Our team of shoe and leather experts have a combined total of over 100 years of experience.
This is Giovanni. He came from a family of Italian shoemakers who immigrated to Cuba. Giovanni was born in Havana. When he was 8 years old, his father sent him back to his Italian village, Saracena, a tiny mountain town with unpaved roads and chickens in the streets. He lived with his Godparents who were also shoemakers. His father came to New Jersey on New Years Eve, 1959 and settled in Hoboken.
He sent for his son a year later. They lived in a basement apartment at 628 Garden Street and opened the shoe store on November 16, 1960. The rent was $55 a month. For several years Giovanni worked in one of Hoboken’s many coat factories as a floor boy and helped his father in the store in the evenings and weekends. He has been working full time at the store since he was 15. (Bio by Nancy Wykstra)
On March 14, 2010, Lupo passed away. He was our mascot and has been an important part of the shop for ten years. He was given to Giovanni 10 years ago when he was an eight week old puppy. We will miss him dearly. (Photo by Nancy Wykstra)
Meet Marcus, the general manager for both store locations. Two years ago he and his wife moved to Hoboken from Atlanta, Georgia. As a former captain in the U.S. Army, he brings order and efficiency to all aspect of the shop’s daily operations. On his days off, he enjoys officiating local high school football games, cooking southern food and he makes some great spaghetti sauce.
Julio is new to our team, but has proven to be an invaluable asset. He has over 20 years shoe-making experience in Honduras. You’ll never see him without a smile while he’s working.
Rudy has over 27 years of shoemaking experience. He’s a quiet soul who enjoys reading and watching television when he’s not working. Additionally, in his free time, he volunteers as an addiction counselor. Living clean and sober for over 10 years, Rudy is happy to help others who struggle with alcoholism.
Aquilino brings over 22 years of shoemaking and repair experience to our crew. Shoemaking has been an important part of his family’s history in Mexico; both he and his brother have carried on their family name by shoemaking in America.
Noberto is from Mexico City. He joins our team with his ten years of shoe repair experience. In his free time he loves to go salsa dancing with his girlfriend. When asked what his favorite food is, everyone in the shop laughs and says, “Rotisserie Chicken! He’s always eating chicken.”
At only 17 years old, Vincenzo (Vinnie), is not a full time employee, but you’ll see him around the shop a lot. He helps Giovanni with deliveries and other shop duties. Vinnie was born and raised in Hoboken and is passionate about the business, calling it, “exciting.” Giovanni calls him, “The Future.” He loves spending time with his family and friends and he loves his mom’s penne with tomato.