Crafted With Care
Samson Family Leather Specializes in Individually Fashioned Items
Writer / Renee Larr
Photographer / Jon Ellegood
Samson Family Leather is the definition of a family-owned and operated business. Casey Samsons grandfather started the business in downtown Lebanon in 1982. The business sells handmade, high-quality leather products.
My grandfather started it with my father as a small, leatherworking hobby business, Samson says. They had a few shoe repair shops in the area. The business eventually transitioned to my dad and transitioned to me. I became the owner in 2011.
Samson Family Leather sells handcrafted leather items such as purses, wallets, clutches, keychains, coasters, mousepads, toiletry kits, drinking vessels, knife sheaths, pot holders, jewelry and more. A team of five artisans including Samson and his wife design and make each unique item by hand. In addition to the pieces they sell in-store, the crew travels to 20 to 30 different events each to sell their wares.
Recently, Samson acquired the space next door to Samson Family Leather and opened The Craft Room by Samson Leather. The 48-person event space is used for hosting craft classes for needlework, felting, painting and even ceramics. The Craft Room is also available to rent for private events.
The Craft Room has been so well-received by people that weve actually had to cut back on some classes because so many people want it for their own events, Samson says. We expect it to be bustling during this upcoming holiday season.
Speaking of holidays, Samson says Samson Family Leather will host several events for the public throughout the holiday season. The family will host a Santa Claus event in December. A professional photographer will be on hand for photos with the old, jolly guy himself. Each child can take home their very own gift from the store.
The family has spun off another company called Leather Ornaments by Samson Family Leather. Each ornament is made one by one, by hand, in the store. Styles include alphabet letters, Christmas silhouettes such as bells, stars, candy canes, stockings, Santa and his sleigh, as well as historical buildings or monuments around Lebanon in various colors.
Each year we do a different, special ornament, Samson says. We choose a different building or historic spot in Lebanon to create in leather, so shoppers can collect a new piece each year. Weve done these for the last six or seven years.
While the business does not take custom orders, they do specialize in leather repair. Shoppers can find items in-store, on their websites, and through their Facebook page.
Samson Family Leather is located at 119 North Meridian Street in downtown Lebanon. For more information, visit samsonleather.com, sflcraftroom.com, and leatherornaments.com.
