About Us
100 Years of Service
Watt's Corner Shoe Store has stood on the corner of Lygon and Grattan Streets for over 100 years. Originally opened in 1895 by William Luttgens, a surgical and bespoke bootmaker, it wasn't long before the business was purchased by the Watt family. The family continued the bootmaking and shoe repair tradition, passing the skills of the tr
Watt's Corner Shoe Store has stood on the corner of Lygon and Grattan Streets for over 100 years. Originally opened in 1895 by William Luttgens, a surgical and bespoke bootmaker, it wasn't long before the business was purchased by the Watt family. The family continued the bootmaking and shoe repair tradition, passing the skills of the trade from father to son for 4 generations. The business soon expanded to include the retailing of quality family footwear with a focus on comfort and fit.
A Family Business
Today, not much has changed. The Watt family still run the business and continue to produce custom made orthopaedic footwear, operate a shoe repair service and source quality, comfort shoes for the whole family. The city of Melbourne recognised the Watt family's long history of service to the area by naming the laneway behind the store Watt Lane.
A Lygon St Icon
A Lygon St Icon
The late Bob Watt became an icon of Lygon St. He started working in the store and learning the skills of the trade from his father at the age of 14 . He continued running the business into his 80s. He loved to share his passion for Lygon St and its diverse culture with anyone who cared to listen, preferably over a cup of coffee in a local
The late Bob Watt became an icon of Lygon St. He started working in the store and learning the skills of the trade from his father at the age of 14 . He continued running the business into his 80s. He loved to share his passion for Lygon St and its diverse culture with anyone who cared to listen, preferably over a cup of coffee in a local Cafe. He helped develop iconic events such as The Lygon Street Festa and served on many trade and community development committees in the Carlton area. His passion for Carlton even extended to the Carlton Football Club, a true fan to the end!