Bootmaker
Maida's
Maida’s is a Houston family shoe and boot business founded in 1883 by Sicilian shoemaker Salvatore “Sam” Maida. After his death in 1901, his son John L. Maida carried on the trade, and later generations ran Maida’s Black Jack Boot Company, making custom boots one pair at a time with bootmaker Richard Salazar.
History
Maida's is a Houston, Texas family custom boot and shoe shop, distinct from the El Paso bootmaker known as Black Jack. Salvatore “Sam” Maida, a shoemaker from Sicily, opened Maida & Cuccia in Houston in 1883 with J. C. Cuccia. His son, John L. Maida, apprenticed under him; Sam died in 1901, and John L. launched Houston Shoe Hospital in 1906.
A 2002 Texas Monthly profile of Maida's Blackjack Boot Company said the work had fallen since 1977 to Sal Maida Jr. and bootmaker Richard Salazar; a 2026 federal court filing summarizing Salvador J. Maida Jr.'s own declaration instead says he left Houston Shoe Hospital and incorporated Maida's Black Jack Boot Co., Inc. in 1983. Clients named over the years have included ZZ Top and actor Ben Johnson.
Known for
Houston family bootmaking business dating to 1883