Saratoga Business Journal photo
By Jill Nagy
Overland Sheepskin Co. celebrated its 50th anniversary in business with a growth spurt, adding two new stores including one in Saratoga Springs. Two additional stores planned for 2024 will bring the total number of outlets to 20.
Overland sells hand-crafted natural fiber outerwear, including sheepskin coats, fleece-lined boots and slippers, and some home decor items like rugs. The products and the materials that go into them come from all over the world, said Gabriel Openshaw, president of the company: Turkey, India, leather products from South America, wool from Peru, among the sources.
The company was founded in Taos, New Mexico, in 1973 by Roger Leahy and his brother, Jerry Leahy. Initially, they sold hand-stitched sheepskin coats. The sheepskin coats are still a mainstay of the company’s wares but they have branched out into other wool, leather, and sheepskin products. Today, much of their business is online through the company’s website, www.overland.com.
Openshaw, the company president, is a relative newcomer. He has been with Overland for almost 14 years. Jerry Leahy is no longer active in the business.
The Saratoga store, located at 332 Broadway, is the first to open on the East Coast since 2017. According to Openshaw, co-owner Roger Leahy and his wife, Nancy, fell in love with the city during a road trip through the Northeast. They were impressed by Saratoga’s central location, natural surroundings, historic charm, and year-round attractions, Leahy is quoted in a company statement as explaining. The Leahys and Openshaw live in Iowa.
The Saratoga store opened in May and, Openshaw said, “things are going well; we had a good year.”
The store is managed by Kate Mija and has “about half a dozen” employees. It is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The telephone numbers are (518) 691-3094 or (866) 687-7198. Mija’s email address is saratogasprings@overland.com.