Jim Leahy
In 1973 my brother, Jim Leahy, arrived in Taos, New Mexico with a bale of
sheepskins, a sewing machine, and a notion that if you did something right
the rest would take care of itself. He set up the first Overland store—a
humble adobe shop between the rugged Sangre de Cristo range and the Rio Grande
Valley, where sheepskin had been long revered for its luxurious warmth.
There, fresh out of high school, the young entrepreneur created beautiful,
high-quality sheepskin coats, hats, mittens, and slippers—meticulously
cutting and stitching everything by hand.
Word quickly spread about the quality and craftsmanship of Overland’s
products, and soon it was impossible for Jim to keep up with the growing demand.
So he invited fellow Taos craftspeople and artisans to work with him.
As Overland Sheepskin Co.'s reputation for excellence continued to grow, the store soon
expanded into the current shop north of Taos at the foot of Taos Mountain.
Overland in Taos, New Mexico
In 1976, our
parents, Jerry and Marge, came to manage a second Overland store in the Old Market section of
Omaha,
and in 1977 my wife, Nancy, and I joined the company to manage operations.
More than 40 years, 15 more stores, and one thriving internet business later,
Overland continues to expand and flourish. Today, our product line has grown
from a handful of shearling coats to over 1,500 styles of premium apparel and
home products, all with the Overland stamp of excellence. We now offer an extensive
collection of the finest shearling coats,
designer leather jackets, luxurious
fur & fabric coats, footwear,
premium clothing, and
sheepskin & leather handbags.
Overland 1982 Catalog Cover
Our styles range from rugged Western to the most elegant of classic and contemporary
fashions. We are also well-known for our luxurious home
and auto accessories,
including sheepskin and
cowhide rugs,
designer rugs and pillows, sheepskin
car seat covers, and more.
These days, our merchandise comes from a select group of fine vendors—some
of whom still craft their products by hand, and all of whom display extraordinary
attention to detail and quality. Since the hand stitching of our very first sheepskin
coat, our business has been fueled by a dedication to impeccable craftsmanship
and quality.
In addition to our website and catalog business, Overland operates sixteen
unique stores—eight of which are located in ski resort towns in
the Rockies.
Overland Sheepskin Co.'s headquarters is a 4 story, 25,000 sq. ft. barn located
near Fairfield, Iowa. Nearly all our merchandise is received here in our distribution
center, and then shipped daily to our web and catalog customers, and to our thirteen other stores.
Fine Sheepskin & Leather Since 1973
Through Overland's exponential growth over the years, the small family shop
atmosphere has remained the backbone of our business, and the integrity of
our products is the reason for its success. Our company is currently owned
and managed by 3 generations of the Leahy family, who work on everything from
product design and purchasing to customer service and shipping.
At the heart of Overland Sheepskin Co.'s operations, Jerry and Marge Leahy are
general managers who are heavily involved in financial management, production,
merchandising, inventory, product development, store design and much more.
Jerry is also our resident shearling seat cover expert. Mea Lama, my sister,
has a hand in everything from product development and sourcing to importing,
store design, and merchandising.
My daughters April and Amber are also integral. April plays a crucial role as our Internet Shipping Manager. Amber is almost solely responsible for
product development in furs and leathers—a huge part of the business—yet
still finds time to help oversee store operations and catalog development,
among other things. And last but certainly far from least, our Overland staff
is an invaluable part of our extended family.
Left to right: Jennifer, Raven, Mea, Jim, Jerry, Marge, April, Jean Paul, Adrian, Amber, & Olivia
Front: Roger, Julian, & Sam
At Overland Sheepskin Co., our goal is to provide you with a unique shopping
experience and quality products that bring you pleasure for years to come.
We thank you, our customers, for the opportunity to do what we love, and what
we do best.
All the best,
Roger Leahy, and the Leahy Family