[This interview first appeared in Issue 4 of The Fluevog Post (Spring/Summer 2015)]
Denny Garbuio, Fluevog Haight St., San Francisco Manager
Years with Fluevog:
Started at Fluevog Granville in Vancouver in 1992!
Where are you from?
I was born in Vancouver, to Italian parents. I started working at the Granville Store in Vancouver in September ’92, and in ’97 John was about to open the Haight St. store and asked: “Do you want to go and manage the new store in San Fran? It opens in two weeks.” Two weeks later all my paperwork was in order and I was on a plane to San Francisco.
Which are your favorite pairs right now for men and women?
Men: The Newell because it’s rugged and masculine, but so exquisitely well made. It reminds me of boots I used to see in London years ago. Women: I would have to say the new floral Kendra. It is so incredibly beautiful on the foot. I’d also have to say the Odette in blue metallic. Such a killer shoe!
Describe The Haight in a nutshell:
I would say it’s eccentric, diverse, funky, and full of colorful characters. It’s got such a rich musical and political history that you can feel on the street, even decades later. The great thing about San Francisco in general is you can be as weird or as boring as you want and no one will judge you for it. People are free to be themselves, and that’s how we like it.
What are some of your favourite spots on Haight St.?
We have so many cool independent and eclectic boutiques here. There are still no big chains which keeps it local and friendly. It’s absolutely unique when you compare it to how other popular High Streets have changed.
Coffee: Stanza Coffee
Lunch: Say Cheese
Shopping: Loved to Death is amazing if you like a macabre shopping experience. And we love our friends over at Goorin Brothers. Decades of Fashion, located in a former Wells Fargo Bank, is an incredibly unique take on a vintage store that should not be missed.
Favorite Fluevog store you’ve visited:
I love the Gastown, Vancouver store, but I have to say Portland is my absolute favorite — I’m very envious of that store, it’s so amazing. When you walk in there you just stop in your tracks and realize you’re looking at a very different kind of shoe store.
Any favorite celebrity moments?
I’ll never forget when Madonna wore the Munsters in Truth or Dare, but in terms of visitors, Robin Williams was always a special visitor when he came into our store. He wore our shoes for years and years and in person was incredibly quiet, even a little shy. Certainly not what you’d expect from his outrageous on-screen persona. At Fluevog we’re such a group of oddballs and Robin definitely fit right in. He was quirky and unique — like our shoes. He once said, “You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.”
Strangest pronunciation of Fluevog:
You hear all sorts, but the one I hear the most is flueflog. For some reason, people keep throwing that “fl” in there. And for those of you who need a tutorial, there’s even a video on YouTube which shows you how to properly pronounce the name John Fluevog!
