The rickety floorboards creak as you climb the wooden staircase at 251 Sorauren Ave. The factory space, originally constructed in 1920 to manufacture piano keys and actions, exudes an old-school charm — its brick facade and oversized industrial windows are instantly recognizable among the houses and independent shops in Toronto’s Roncesvalles neighbourhood.
Since starting the business some 18 years ago, Churchill and his team have crafted footwear for some of the biggest blockbuster films, television, circus and theatre productions, turning Jitterbug Boy into one of the most respected footwear manufacturers in the creative industry. But a phone call in the late 1990s changed his career trajectory. It came from someone setting up a workshop in Toronto for Disney’s “The Lion King” musical, which was opening in the city in 2000.
Since starting Jitterbug Boy, Churchill has worked on an illustrious list of projects — from major franchises such as “Mission Impossible,” “Fast & Furious” and “Spider-Man” to circus shows and expensive Broadway musicals. “Jeff has always been very clear with us about that,” he added. “It’s not always going to be traditional shoemaking. Sometimes, what we do is a lot closer to prop-making but for your feet.”
Perhaps topping the list of most memorable projects was working alongside Japanese designer Eiko Ishioka on the 2012 fantasy-comedy film “Mirror Mirror.”