Jünemann's Pantoffeleck

Berlin's last slipper maker, located on Torstraße, handcrafts around 15,000 pairs each year using machines from 1936 and 1952. The felt soles are stitched with tarred thread instead of glued, making them quiet and suitable for parquet floors. Four lines from 25 to 33 Euros, sizes 36 to 46 and oversized up to 52, plus custom orders from customer-supplied fabric.

Jünemann’s Pantoffeleck: Berlin’s Last Slipper Maker on Torstraße

Jünemann’s Pantoffeleck has been located on Torstraße in Mitte since 1981, when the street was still called Wilhelm-Pieck-Straße. The history of the business began much earlier: in 1908, Bernhard Jünemann founded the slipper workshop in Magdeburg and worked from home. In 1927, his son Otto took over and moved the workshop to Berlin, to Lottumstraße. Otto and his wife Editha had twelve children, most of whom worked in the business temporarily. After 1945, slippers were traded for food, soles were cut from car tires, and goods were sold door-to-door. In 1968, Günter Jünemann, the youngest of the family, took over, and he still works in the workshop today. His son Reno joined in 1991 and has been running the business in its fourth generation since 2007. Sales and production are under one roof, with two employees assisting, both career changers. The shop can be reached by Tram M8, Bus 240, and U2 to Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz, and even though Torstraße borders Prenzlauer Berg here, the address is officially in Mitte.

Stitched Felt Soles from Machines from the 1930s

Around 15,000 pairs are handcrafted here each year, using a technique almost no one masters anymore: the soles are not glued, but stitched through with tarred thread. The work is done on machines, some over 70 years old; the oldest punching machine dates from 1936, a sewing machine from 1952. The felt is quiet, durable, and suitable for parquet floors, making it popular in old buildings. There are four lines: the classic closed slipper for 25 Euros, the backless slipper without a fixed heel cap, the collar shoe with a turned-down collar for 33 Euros, and children’s slippers. One can choose between a felt sole and a more slip-resistant poro sole; for children’s shoes, only the latter is available. Sizes range from 36 to 46, and the shop carries oversized up to 52 as a separate category. A tip from the house is worthwhile: it’s better to order one size larger than your own shoe size. Additionally, custom orders are available, such as slippers made from a customer’s old denim jacket, and adjustments for wide insteps. Shipping is worldwide, to places like Japan and New York.