tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post2541434575612338868..comments2024-03-01T06:49:59.106-05:00Comments on Behind the Bit: Goodbye Paddock Saddlery: Where are the local shops going?Stacey Kimmel-Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08498926535389535263noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-31403994397478190362011-06-04T22:35:16.780-04:002011-06-04T22:35:16.780-04:00Look at equus now in columbus ohio, they have a we...Look at equus now in columbus ohio, they have a website, and do phone orders as well. they are by far the best tack store I have ever seen. I lived in ohio most of my life, a year ago moved to the ny/ct area, and now I am in Pa for a year, trust me, no one beats EQUUS!!!!AChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06401710103780147544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-60342220288364091612011-05-23T11:02:51.927-04:002011-05-23T11:02:51.927-04:00The feed stores tend to have western gear as well ...The feed stores tend to have western gear as well as equipment needed around the barn, so we purchase from the locals for that stuff when we can. They will order special requests and don't really mark things up over what we could find them for online, so it's great to support them.<br />There's only one close local tack shop left, and it's in a smaller shop than it was for 20 or Nethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08817230186352688525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-45881947044802442512011-05-22T11:57:47.650-04:002011-05-22T11:57:47.650-04:00Back in the day, my favorite local tack shop was R...Back in the day, my favorite local tack shop was Ruthie's Tack Shop on Route 517 in Oldwick, NJ. She had the best selection of tack, clothing, do-dads, and goodies. I used to love going there so much that my mom would take me there if I had to endure an unpleasant dentist appointment, like fillings.<br /><br />Jean mentioned a lot of the stores in the New Jersey area, but most are too far Valhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07335385366138424092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-15482120840623127512011-05-22T10:42:40.340-04:002011-05-22T10:42:40.340-04:00We only have a few around here too - small shops. ...We only have a few around here too - small shops. One is generally always over priced, and never seems to have what Im looking for anyways. The other is farther away and personally I have never been there due to distance. Then theres another one that is only consignment - good deals, but its a hit and miss type of situation. Finally, theres another one about an hour away, but generic stuff, paint_horse_milohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14549633937628282128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-31945971924506518252011-05-22T09:50:25.534-04:002011-05-22T09:50:25.534-04:00Not here! We have a great local shop, Wilton Tack,...Not here! We have a great local shop, Wilton Tack, that stocks all the latest stuff, has great prices and great staff. They too will match any price. Here in Canada the only mega tack store is Greenhawk, but even they open up small franchises. But Wilton has better prices and better selection, so I stick with them.<br /><br />Cross border shipping and customs costs are probably saving our local Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07726043632207281087noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-87236239012643813662011-05-22T08:10:55.610-04:002011-05-22T08:10:55.610-04:00I used to live quite close to the Paddock and it w...I used to live quite close to the Paddock and it was a great store. Sorry to learn of it's demise. The biggest issue for local stores is that everyone searches the Internet for better prices . . . and in this economy, who can blame them!<br /><br />I currently live within 30 minutes of SmartPak and Dover, both of which I frequent. But usually I shop in the clearance section because everythingLiz Goldsmithhttp://www.equineink.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-2092771673684756962011-05-22T06:32:28.558-04:002011-05-22T06:32:28.558-04:00Probably so; the economy, internet, and the fizzli...Probably so; the economy, internet, and the fizzling of the horse industry finally caught up with them. <br />To me, Mom & Pop shops have it all over the "big boys" through more personal (and friendly) customer service. I shop Ace instead of Lowe's or Home Depot when I can because it's locally owned and I don't have to walk 20 miles to find help (not only that, but the Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17608579972739041880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-52096642139295701482011-05-22T00:03:33.548-04:002011-05-22T00:03:33.548-04:00Bookstores are pretty much gone in my area. I neve...Bookstores are pretty much gone in my area. I never used them anyway, because I found Amazon to be much easier, and my Kindle books to be much cheaper and easier to carry around (carrying around a book of all of Shakespeare's sonnets is not practical! But if I can carry that AND many other books in a smaller package.........)<br /><br />As for Tack Shops, there's two local ones that I Dressagerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04849960430806754249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-6242119836646886732011-05-21T21:17:05.880-04:002011-05-21T21:17:05.880-04:00We have 5 indie bookstores going strong and 4 tack...We have 5 indie bookstores going strong and 4 tack shops plus a consignment tack shop going strong w/in a 30-40 minute drive from our farm. I try hard to support all of them (as best I can on a tight budget) as they each have a slightly different character and ambiance - I hope they all stay busy and continue to do well.billiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18187141867284800597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-17438165284820639242011-05-21T21:04:21.050-04:002011-05-21T21:04:21.050-04:00We have a small store from a big franchise here in...We have a small store from a big franchise here in town. Except for a feed store, that's it.<br /><br />Eldest and I just spent twelve hours on a road trip today, down to Toronto (and back with a three hour detour added in when one highway closed for an accident) all to visit a great consignment tack & apparel shop: Repeat Rider. We got her a great pair of field boots that fit her Janicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14093558563358431804noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-12859114710065131552011-05-21T20:07:56.285-04:002011-05-21T20:07:56.285-04:00Luckily there were never many tack store in my are...Luckily there were never many tack store in my area to begin with, so the few that are around serve a very large horse community and are doing reasonably well. Combine that with the fact that the tack shops have trailers and sell at local (which also happen to be large) horse shows, they are not going anywhere. My favorite tack shop (The Horse and Rider) has a great selection and AWESOME service.Arethusahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18410692683489966169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-47205876371004271432011-05-21T18:58:07.352-04:002011-05-21T18:58:07.352-04:00I do think that many tack stores will go the way o...I do think that many tack stores will go the way of book stores but not all of them. We have a store in our area (Twin Cities, MN) that specializes in western wear and tack. I think this really helps them diversify because they can market to the non-horsey people that come to buy jeans, boots and hats. <br /><br />The English store in our area recently was sold to a long-time employee. She is Marnie Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13241962543917686722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-26322924412694915642011-05-21T18:39:28.364-04:002011-05-21T18:39:28.364-04:00Anon out of sheer laziness- ok, fixed that.
Discre...Anon out of sheer laziness- ok, fixed that.<br />Discretionary income has taken a big hit, even with those of us lucky enough to still have the option ( no, make that compulsion) to spend it on horses. And there aren't that many of us relative to the general population, even down here in sofla. Tack shops have to sell just as much to an ever shrinking population. It's very tough, but theyone eyed jacknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-53252448765442875612011-05-21T17:06:39.996-04:002011-05-21T17:06:39.996-04:00In the last couple of years, there have been some ...In the last couple of years, there have been some tack store closings around here too. I think with online buying (the economy on top of that), how can a store compete? It's so convenient to just hop online and find exactly what you want, when you want it, usually at a better price than what an actual store could offer and quickly do price comparisons on other sites. <br /><br />However, IDiligent Horsehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06842243313436885304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-58136788678485196902011-05-21T17:04:33.763-04:002011-05-21T17:04:33.763-04:00Hey anon, I'm flattered that you keep 'a c...Hey anon, I'm flattered that you keep 'a comin' back.Stacey Kimmel-Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08498926535389535263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-75643866720481627582011-05-21T16:43:05.201-04:002011-05-21T16:43:05.201-04:00ummm- yes.
this has been another edition of simple...ummm- yes.<br />this has been another edition of simple answers to simple questions....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-80333168037240144262011-05-21T16:31:03.605-04:002011-05-21T16:31:03.605-04:00In a word, YEP!In a word, YEP!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-61077463770864263522011-05-21T15:38:05.025-04:002011-05-21T15:38:05.025-04:00Oops, meant to add...many of these stores have onl...Oops, meant to add...many of these stores have online sales as well, including The Tack Shelter in Colt's Neck...kind of east of here. So perhaps they do the best of both worlds' business. <br /><br />Rick's sends out all kinds of coupons and special offers through email.Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10029423500476995817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-43105342401799708602011-05-21T15:35:24.859-04:002011-05-21T15:35:24.859-04:00Rick's Saddle Shop here in NJ has three stores...Rick's Saddle Shop here in NJ has three stores and there's Heritage Saddlery in Pennsylvania, all of which seem to be doing just fine. I buy my feed at Rick's and often shop the clothing and tack racks. <br /><br />There's Stitching Horse Leathers nearby too. I haven't been to Beval's in a while, nor to Coach Stop which is up near the USET. And Toll Booth is a bit south ofJeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10029423500476995817noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-25692513863104564982011-05-21T15:16:00.243-04:002011-05-21T15:16:00.243-04:00Closest to me is another "mega store" ty...Closest to me is another "mega store" type of tack shop, and it really is most convenient if I need something in a pinch -- fly spray, poultice, etc. But if I can help it, I go out of my way to support a smaller store, because they're generally more knowledgeable and friendly.<br /><br />Small Shop has the same group of ladies that have been there for as long as I've known the Now Thats A Trot!https://www.blogger.com/profile/04520915591652905807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-77975595596360916472011-05-21T15:15:40.261-04:002011-05-21T15:15:40.261-04:00I hope they don't all go away. I don't bu...I hope they don't all go away. I don't buy leather goods without seeing them in person. And I would hate to be limited to only buying the clothes exactly like what I already have. There are a couple of stores here that should survive no matter what. Others have closed or gone online. There used to be a lot.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01571711150060964222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-42837546740854009152011-05-21T14:53:58.465-04:002011-05-21T14:53:58.465-04:00Very few places to get horse related items around ...Very few places to get horse related items around us. One small very Western store and one English, focus on Hunter store.<br /><br />We shop once a year at the horse expo near us - but sure wish we had more places to shop!Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10313417800020012776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6317822193674196694.post-76261341068078318442011-05-21T14:50:08.008-04:002011-05-21T14:50:08.008-04:00Tack stores are disappearing around here, too. Th...Tack stores are disappearing around here, too. The only ones that can survive are more like farm supply stores with a tack section. Sadly, I can't do much to help because most of what I buy isn't available locally. Almost everyone here rides western on gigantmo Quarter Horses. No endurance tack for lighter horses to be found. :(Barbeygirlhttp://inthenightfarm.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.com