Shop Local: River Ridge Leather Company offers custom made bags, holsters and sleigh bells

Leonard L. Hayhurst, Coshocton Tribune
·2 min read

COSHOCTON − The Coshocton Tribune is highlighting 12 locally owned stores in December as part of a "12 Shops of Christmas" series.

River Ridge Leather Company

Address: 355 N. Whitewoman St.

Owner: Dennis Knight

Ridge Ridge Leather sells a variety of custom made leather goods crafted in the traditional style with traditional tools. Leather ornaments and sleigh bells are big sellers this time of year.
Ridge Ridge Leather sells a variety of custom made leather goods crafted in the traditional style with traditional tools. Leather ornaments and sleigh bells are big sellers this time of year.

When business opened: January 2003

Number of employees: 1.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Contact: Visit the store's website, riverridgeleather.com, or call 740-295-0284.

What's in stock? Custom leather shoulder bags, holsters, sleigh bells, belts, saddles, notebook cases, briefcases and more.

What does it offer that sets it apart from others? I use what's called bark tan or vegetable tan leather, mainly from a tannery in St. Louis. This leather and chrome tan leather you find in the stores are very different things. Nothing at a shoe store or at the mall you can use to make equestrian things like saddles and harnesses. You can't make holsters out of chrome tan leather. I use traditional tools and traditional materials. My name is stamped in every item and I tell people to bring it back one a year and I'll recondition the leather at no charge.

Dennis Knight, owner of River Ridge Leather Company in Roscoe Village, works on a bag in his shop.
Dennis Knight, owner of River Ridge Leather Company in Roscoe Village, works on a bag in his shop.

What’s special or different for the holiday season? This time of year we have a lot of sleigh bells, nice quality ones in solid brass. People also buy belts for gifts and these rectangular boxes. We also make leather ornaments.

Is the Christmas season its biggest time of year? Christmas is pretty busy.

Why is shopping local important: You're not just supporting me and my business, you're supporting others. I buy a lot of stuff from suppliers up in Amish country. We're helping them, they're helping me. They buy stuff from other suppliers. If people buy a little more local, I think it benefits everybody. Plus, generally, if you're buying something from someone you know, I think it's inherently going to be a better-quality item.

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: River Ridge offers custom-made leather items such as bags, holsters