Right in the heart of bustling downtown Saratoga, a new store made a quiet entrance into a prime spot on Broadway. The space used to be the well-known Saratoga Coffee Traders. When Saratoga Coffee Traders closed down in October 2023, the windows of the empty space were covered with brown paper so no one could see inside. Then one day last December, magically, the paper was off the windows and The Local Brand Co. was fully-stocked and open for business!
The Local Branch Co.
THE LOCAL BRANCH IS A LIFESTYLE BRAND FORGED ON THE ROADS AND TRAILS THAT WEAVE THROUGH THE AMERICAN LANDSCAPE. WE OFFER A UNIQUE ARRAY OF HANDCRAFTED USA MADE GOODS FOR THE ADVENTURERS, EXPLORERS AND SEEKERS AMONG US.
The Local Branch Co. became one of Saratoga's newest Broadway residents in December 2023. This charming and unique store started creating a buzz right away with its beautiful hand crafted leather goods and the carefully curated selection of locally made goods and one-of-a-kind gifts.
As soon as you step foot into The Local Branch Co. you are greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The store's rustic decor and cozy ambiance make it the perfect place to browse for a special gift or treat yourself to something unique. Whether you're looking for a souvenir to remember your visit to Saratoga or a thoughtful present for a loved one, you are sure to find something special at The Local Branch Co.
The Local Branch Co. Story:
It is not just the products that make The Local Branch Co. stand out - it is the commitment to the distinguishing sentiment and guiding beliefs of the owners and employees of the company. Or as they call it, the ethos of The Local Branch Co. It is the foundation of the brand and the guiding light for all business decisions.
This ethos was beginning to form in 2009 when Blaine and Makenzie Vossler, a couple who hand made artisan quality leather and apparel goods, worked out of an Airstream trailer traveling across the USA to sell their goods at trade shows, craft fairs and music festivals. As their business grew, they ultimately decided to return to their NY roots and open their first brick and mortar store in Skaneateles (pronounced "Skinny Atlas"). The recently opened store in Saratoga Springs is their second location (at 447 Broadway, right next to The Dark Horse).
The Vossler's journey from artisans driving cross country to sell their handcrafted goods to owners of a retail business with two brick and mortar locations solidified the original ethos that they started with in 2009. The Local Branch Co. ethos can be boiled down to these three main guiding principles:
An exploration of Americana and a focus on US made goods.
A commitment to use natural and sustainable materials.
An intention to be a "space creator" to promote local artisans and small makers.
The commitment to these ideals is reflected in the fact all goods sold in their stores are manufactured in the US. Additionally, the store is always looking to partner with local artisans and small makers whose work and processes reflect their guiding principles. The Local Branch Co. creates space to showcase their work and help them reach a wider audience. By shopping at The Local Branch Co., you are not only getting a unique item, but you are also supporting local businesses and artisans!
SIDE NOTE: If you are a local artisan that would be interested in having your product placed in one of their stores, don't be afraid to reach out to them! I was told they are always looking for new merchandise to complement their product base. They are especially looking to stock the new Saratoga store with more products made in the surrounding area.
For a deeper dive into The Local Branch Co. story and their company ethos, you can check out the Journal section of their website which is a blog that highlights new products and also gives an inside look into the company, the employees, and their guiding beliefs. There is a great short video that introduces Blaine and Makenzie and gives you real insight into them and the brand of this business. I really enjoyed it and it gave me a whole different perspective of the store. You can catch the video here.
What You Can Find at The Local Branch Co.:
Now that the basics are out of the way, let's get to the important part! What kinds of things can you find at The Local Branch Co. stores (or online)?
As you can tell from the The Local Branch Co. story, one of the cornerstones of the business is the beautiful handcrafted leather and canvas goods that are STILL made in small batches and hand-stitched by Blaine himself with the help of their workshop manager, Aaron! This includes everything you would think of from different size bags, wallets, and belts, as well as unique leather items like stamped coasters, key rings, household goods and other special gift items.
In addition to the leather and canvas goods, The Local Branch Co. has a highly curated and varied collection of other US made products from small makers. The wide variety of items available is reflected in the "Gifts" tab of their website which lists these categories: The Outdoorsman; The Homesteader, The Traveler, The Nurturer, and The Kiddo. You can check out all the amazing products available at The Local Branch Co. on their website by clicking here.
So...What's New for The Local Branch Co.?
In preparing this blog, I spoke to Sidney Glass, the Brand Manager for The Local Branch Co., and I got the inside scoop on some of the new products that will be dropping in the Spring and Summer product launches. There will be two new leather bag designs coming out soon that will be available for pre-sale. If you are interested, be sure to visit the website and sign up for the email list so you will get first notice of the product drop and have first opportunity to snag one of these beautiful hand-stitched bags! I will help you out...click here for a quick link to the email page.
I also learned some hot inside information that is personally VERY interesting to me. Apparently, The Local Branch Co. is getting ready to launch a new Home Goods line. I am a sucker for good home decor products! The line will include leather woven baskets, table top planters, hanging baskets, wine holders/carriers and more! Sidney shared that a few items from the Home Goods line were finished earlier than expected and landed in their two stores direct from the workshop YESTERDAY! A limited number of tabletop planters, baskets and wine bandoliers are available for purchase before the roll out of the rest of the line. The remaining items from the new Home Goods line should be in stores sometime at the end of April. I, for one, will be keeping a watch out for that.
Final Words...
If you haven't checked out The Local Branch Co. store in Saratoga, I highly recommend you make a plan to come visit. It is a beautifully designed space filled with beautifully designed items. They bring in new product every season, so be sure to make it a regular stop when you are in town!
I hope you have learned from this blog that The Local Branch Co. isn't just about the amazing products, but it is also about their commitment to US made goods and supporting small makers and artisans who produce quality goods with sustainable materials. I will end with the words of owner Blaine Vossler succinctly describing the mission and purpose of The Local Branch Co.:
This is how we see the future of conscious consumerism. Knowing your maker, buying fewer better things and caring for them so they last a lifetime!