Detroit Veterans to Make Shoes
November 11, 2018
Pingree Detroit has recently sprung up, a working cooperative that aims to help veterans by hiring them specifically to make all kinds of footwear from recycled material.
The cooperative gets its name from Hazen S. Pingree, one of Michigan’s Governors that started out as a civil war veteran that went on to make boots after the war. In his time, Pingree made many social reforms, such as expanding welfare programs and countering monopolies. These philosophies guide the worker cooperative today.
Veterans working at Pingree Detroit make between $13 and $15 an hour. The shoes themselves average $200-$400 a pair. This price is due to their reliability and longevity. To top it off, each shoe comes with a label inscribing a quote and a photo of the shoemaker.
The company revealed the sneakers in Detroit’s Cadillac Square. These are the first ever sneakers manufactured in Detroit.
For now, the company is small. Jarrett Schlaff, president and co-founder of Pingree Detroit, wants to expand the company to include hundreds of veterans and Detroiters. You can find out more information on their website at www.pingreedetroit.com.