“I think there is a real need for a store like ours,” explains co-owner of San Diego Saddlery, Liz Michalina. “With PetSmart no longer selling Stateline Tack, there aren’t any tack stores in our area carrying a wide variety of both english and western tack and apparel. We’ll also stock a full range of related equipment and supplies, as well as quality consignment. And, of course, gifts for the holidays!”
San Diego Saddlery had a soft opening in October, and is planning to hold their grand opening celebration to coincide with a holiday season kick-off the first weekend of December. “The festivities are still in the planning stages, but several of our vendors have donated product to be raffled off,” says Denise Fraser, the other half of San Diego Saddlery. “Customers are invited to come in and enter to win any time before and up to the day of the grand opening.”
In addition to the well-known brands such as Ariat, Classic Equine, and Toklat, Liz drew on many contacts from her 20-plus years in the retail tack business to find independent manufacturers and distributors to provide their tack store with items such as Amish-made leather goods and western tack from South Dakota. San Diego Saddlery’s goal is to provide customers with quality products at a good price for all disciplines of riding and from beginners on up. Customer service is also very important.
“As popular as the internet is,” Denise says, “it’s easy to purchase the wrong thing, such as an ill-fitting helmet or bit in the wrong size. We want to be a store that is fun to come to shop at or just to visit, because, after all, we all share the same passion! But we also want to be a store that is known for providing the proper equipment with the knowledge and expertise to back it up.”
For more information about San Diego Saddlery call 619-222-8827.