I just got an email that the Libertyville Saddle Shop in Libertyville, IL is going out of business. They are closing up shop and liquidating their inventory. Here is the ad: Libertyville Saddle Shop store closing
I'm kind of bummed about this. I always liked that shop. I've never been to the actual store but I enjoyed their catalog and have ordered many items from them in the past. At one time I even had a line of store credit with them! They always had a unique selection of tack and items that you just couldn't find anywhere else. They also had very reasonable and competitive pricing.
I will miss their catalog and it feels like one more door closing on my horsey past. If any of you are in the Libertyville, IL area, check out their liquidation sale and give this great saddle shop some business for the last time.
And for those of you who might remember Miller's Harness Company, I just learned one of their founders has passed away about a month ago. Joseph Miller, Who Sold Horse Tack to the Well-Heeled, Dies at 93 I remember Miller's in their heyday. Back in the day, my local tack shop, "The Saddle Shop" owned by a man named Bernie Cohen (and now also just a memory) always carried the latest from Miller's line. I never got to visit Miller's Manhattan store (but I did go to Kaufmann's a few times during college) but I have heard it was worth the visit.
Video may not have killed the radio star but the internet and the economy sure have beaten up the local equestrian retailer. At least I still have Beval Saddlery. Their Gladstone store is my Mecca.
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13 comments:
i used to shop through their catalog too. how sad!
Well, darn - I've always liked them, too!
I saw this the other day. I think Horseloverz is somehow involved in the whole thing. Maybe they are taking over the business?
Haven't been to Bevals in a while. Rick's Saddle Shop carries most of what I need nowadays, but I used to haunt Bevals a lot years ago.
I liked the Libertyville catalog too. Any odd little piece of tack to fix or repair something, I could find there. I used to have one of their bridles with the bright green lining - great XC bridle. Better quality than I expected.
And on the other end of the $$$ spectrum, Miller's Harness Co. was THE place to buy high end tack and clothes. I still have a pair of Miller show breeches, better than anything else I have owned.
*sigh*
Jean - I think Horseloverz is handling the liquidation. Maybe whatever doesn't sell in the store they will dump online since they have a huge internet business.
Rick's is also a great shop! I was there once many years ago. I got my DelGrange saddle through them and they worked out a great trade-in deal for me to help get the price down. I'd recommend them, too!
It is so funny that Bev's is your Mecca! Since I moved to my new home it is literally my closest tack store...and I never go there! I would rather drive up to Horseman's outlet!
This post made me miss your more normal blogging. How is your knee doing?
I live down the road from Libertyville shop. And while the catalog may have had a good offering, the store merch had gone significantly down over the last 10 years or so, in both quality and quantiity. They were selling very few well known brands in the store recently. I'm not surprised the're closing, but it is sad to see a local business go.
Jill - I'm sorry to hear the store had gone downhill, it would explain why the catalog had also thinned out over the same time frame. I ordered from them in the 80's and early 90's and the selection was super back then.
I felt the same way when we lost "The Saddle Shop" after Bernie sold the business. The people who took it over never had his line of credit and the quantity and quality of merchandise dropped rapidly. I hear you about losing a local shop that was the go-to spot of it's day.
I was just at their sale yesterday-a lot of no name tack. They had some Effingham tall boots still. ;) I got a few things.
I agree with Jill, I used to shop there quite a bit in the past and they have gone downhill, it was sad to see. I remember when it was time to buy my daughters first saddle that was the place we went to. Lately, just not the same place. All in all it is still sad to see them closing down.
I loved reading your memories of the "old" saddle shops! Especially Beval, because I am from Connecticut and I used to go to New Canaan and just hang out there. :) Thanks, and about horses, you will figure it out, just be patient.
Btw, I just saw Jean's comment about Horseloverz...I have not had good luck ordering from them. Their customer service was no help. They kinda stink in my book.
horseypants - I have to agree with you on Horseloverz. Their shipping costs are simply unfair and non-competitive. They try to lure you in with great prices and when you put an order together for a few things, unless you are buying over $100.00 worth of stuff the shipping is in my opinion way too high.
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