Village Tannery

After 30 years… I finally needed a replacement.
Back in the late 80s my (then) boyfriend (now husband) and I discovered Village Tannery. I was an aspiring actor and wanted a leather bag to carry stuff as I made my rounds for auditions and interviews and such. We walked into the store just as Richard Chamberlain was walking out. He had the exact bag I wanted. We both bought one like it and it has served me well through three decades of near daily use.
I’ve traveled all through the US, Europe, Central America, the Caribbean and Canada with the bag. I’ve used it as a briefcase, an overnight bag, a laundry bag and a grocery bag (it expanded to more than double it’s normal size.) Pockets galore, roomy compartments and made so well that except for a replaced zipper, I’ve had not a single problem. The bag was like a part of me.
Recently, though, the leather had finally begun to wear through where it had rubbed against my leg. Personally, I liked the character of the small holes, but my husband decided I needed a new one and he surprised me with a custom made replacement on Christmas morning.
It’s nothing short of spectacular. The leather is soft and supple… like glove leather. I can’t stop touching it. The dimensions are a little more snug than my other bag but that may be because the other one had stretched out over the decades.
When John called the store to inquire about placing an order, TJ (?) actually remembered him from 30 years ago… I chalk that up to Dr. Kildare and 3 identical bags sold the same day. He called back to say he’d found a beautiful piece of leather with which to make the bag… and he wasn’t kidding. It’s beautiful. Did I mention I can’t stop touching it?
The craftsmanship is unparalleled with care given to every detail. The hardware is better than the first bag. I will be buried with this one, no doubt. And it smells great.
My highest recommendation. I can’t stop touching it.

Love this place. I bought a leather satchel at the Village Tannery a decade ago. It’s been all around the world, and held up just fine, until a dog chewed through the strap. I brought it back to the shop, no receipt (they recognized their work), no questions, and they repaired it onsite. I did have to pay for shipping, since I was already on the road, but that’s a small price to pay, IMO.

Ok, if you are there to spend tons of money you will probably be greeted as a king but if you like go for repair of leather goods expect to receive the worst customer service experience you ever received.
I have probably never experienced such bad customer service from an upscale boutique and will never return. Took my business to another location which did it for half the price and a friendly attitude.

I was in NY on vacation and happened to walk into Village Tannery. They were very helpful and very nice. I was nervous about having a bag custom made and shipped to GA. I took the risk and to my surprise, it arrived before they promised me and even better, the bag is BEAUTIFUL! It’s worth every penny. In my option, the price isn’t as expensive compared to name brand bags and their leather isn’t as good as Village Tannery. I’m looking forward to my next NY trip to order another bag!!!

Absolutely see Memo for anything you need! He is AMAZING! I just got my new bag and I LOVE IT! Memo was patient, and knowledgeable and helped my dream come to fruition! He is honest, hard-​working and great! Thanks so much Memo!

These guys make great quality items for the cost that they charge. If this were a brand name, it would be double the amount you pay for the quality.

My friend and I have been shopping in this store for years. Last year, she purchased a wallet that I drooled over and she got me a similar one for my birthday. Gorgeous leather, hand stitched, lots of slots for credit cards and super light weight. I have not been able to find anything in any dept. store to come close. Blows away Coach, Dooney, etc. I am not a label hound so I love that there is no logo — just pure quality that I am sure will last for many years to come.

SHOP SMELLS GREAT. SOMETHING ELSE STINKS.
Bear in mind it’s just my experience — recently went here to find a gift for a friend. One employee was great, gave an estimate for a custom piece. Returning with a template the owner wanted to double the estimate for the same piece. Fine.
Believing in supporting a local business, we put a deposit down but upon returning found it was not made to the specs we asked for, with one of the key pockets so shallow and wide that whatever is placed inside and likely to fall out.
The owner was rude and insulting, rolling his eyebrows. and most importantly — outright lied about the conversation that was had about the pocket. Then, the red flag as the owner declared ‘do you know how many celebrities I make things for?!?“
I don’t care one bit which celebrity you cite on your resume.
Tacky AND deceitful. spend your money elsewhere. at places that deserve it.
Found the nicer version of the item at a great local store Jachs at 310 Bleecker street. Great Turkish proprietors. helpful and kind. Oh, and the price? for the same as the employee originally quoted us at Village Tannery.
I take no pleasure writing this. hopefully the owner learns the kind of human being you are impacts your business.

I’ve had my backpack for 20 YEARS, and I still use it almost every day! It’s worn and scratched, and some of the edges are cracked, but it gives the bag character. It’s nice to know that I have a lifetime guarantee, but I doubt I’ll ever need repairs. This bag has stood the test of time, and its weathered appearance only shows how much it’s loved.

Walked into this place unplanned on my last visit to NYC. Excellent customer service, excellent products. Walked out with two bags, a whole lotta dollars less than I came in with and a huge smile on my face.

I had known about this place for years, but wasn’t sure I could lay down the $ for one of their bags — -basically coveted from afar. Recently I was in the neighborhood seeing a friend, stopped in the shop on the way, and fell in love with a lovely and rather large red bag. In the end I got it (after mulling it over for a few hours), and haven’t regretted the purchase for a second — slightly regret that I didn’t buy it or one like it years ago, since I could have been enjoying it all along! First off, it’s perfect. Holds all of the nonsense I have to drag around all day, and I know I won’t see it on anyone else. Not a day or an hour, even, goes by that I don’t get a complement on it. The quality is fabulous and it manages to be stylish, but not trendy, so I know I’ll use it and love it for years.

This is my «Go to» bag that I’ve used hard for 9 years.
I had our custom made with special leather for $ 400.
Last week I took it back for movie repairs. Total cost… $ 0. The owner said it was his craftsmanship.
Was happy for 9 years… Even happier now.

Couldn’t ask for a better experience. I was on a trip from California and wanted something special to bring home as a keepsake. I got a handcrafted laptop bag that is literally exactly what I’ve been looking for for years. I enjoy it every time I pick it up and am glad to know I’ll be using it for decades to come because not only is this thing built to last, but it has a lifetime guarantee.
The highest quality product, patient and helpful salesmen (who also own the place and make everything), and a huge selection. Plus they’ll customize anything to suite your needs. Ding, ding, ding… we have a winner!

These leather goods are the kind you’ll own forever. They’re beautifully made, thoughtfully designed, beyond trends. They’re also seriously expensive, which is a good thing: You’ll think long and hard before you buy one, and that means no buyers’ remorse.
Buying a bag here can be as simple as choosing a ready-​made item from the walls of this cozy, unpretentious shop. Or, if you’re like me, it can mean spending a couple of hours designing your dream bag with the friendly and passionate staff.
Memo and TJ are not so much salesmen as craftsmen, explaining patiently how leathers and designs are suited to each other, and why some tweaks are more desirable than others. They might bring out gigantic pieces of leather for your perusal and send you over to the workshop on Great Jones Street, where you can see the bags being made. (Yes, we still manufacture goods in NYC!)
They’re big on customer loyalty here – thus the lifetime guarantees. Sure, you can pop in and buy a quick, clever gift (cute change purses and covers for electronic devices). But don’t be surprised if you find yourself returning again and again for merchandise and service you won’t find anywhere else.

Mmmmmm the smell of leather is intoxicating. Village Tannery has GOOD leather! They sell everything from wallets to purses to backpacks to large carry-​on duffles. Everything is beautifully done. Custom work available.

I stopped by two days ago and there was one burgundy leather case that just hit me as an ethereal blend of business and casual travel with dusting of rock n roll that would be perfect for my paperwork and other things.
After a couple more passes of the store, I took the leap to inquire. An older gentleman running the store took note of my appearances in the window and showed me the case and its color variations.
I knew she had to be mine in her luxurious burgundy glory, so I made the purchase. I was pleased to find the store would modify the case for free with unseen magnetic snaps. A very practical suggestion for NYC and the store also gave me care instructions for it, noting my enthusiasm.
While it was my first visit, it was an easy purchase and I was treated well. Now all I need is a St. Laurie suit to match this with.

This is the place to go if you need an awesome bag. I was in NY for the weekend an in the market for a great go-​to bag that I wouldn’t have to coddle. After reading the reviews online, I took the train down to the Village and walked right in. I went to the Great Jones location, and the owner greeted my mom and myself. He also let us spend 2 hours in his shop trying out every bag he makes, showing us the different leathers he can use to make anything custom. I found an awesome sling bag in red and had him make it in a great soft leather (for the same price as the stock red).
My boyfriend had asked for a bag (and his birthday is next week), and with the owner’s guidance and insight found a great bag for his daily commute. I’m giving it to him next week — and I have the owner’s promise that if he doesn’t love the bag we can take it back and exchange it.
In addition, you have lifetime repairs and customer service. I can’t imagine going anywhere else. The bag he made for me smells great (leather!) and is exactly what I need. Fingers crossed for the boyfriend’s!
In terms of price, it was less than I thought it would be based on the reviews. You’ll see midsize purses and men’s bags start around 300 or 350. Reading all the reviews I was expecting 500+, and for a bag that will last you years (people trade in briefcases after 16 years — and you can buy used here!) it’s well worth the investment.
So go! And tell all your friends to go. Get a custom bag or buy off the shelf — they’re all made right behind the curtain, and I can tell you, the workmanship is freaking fantastic.
I guess it has to be with a lifetime warranty!

I found Village Tannery online. After not finding what I wanted locally, I searched years online for a leather crafter who could create the bag I had in mind. I knew the bag features I wanted (plain heavy leather, comfortably hold a 17 inch laptop, long straps, zippers, external pocket) but I didn’t have a good idea what to do next.
Village Tannery was one of the few stores that sold bags I like AND did custom orders. Plus the prices were reasonable. I got in touch with the store and Semih talked me through what I wanted. He used his years of expertise to turn my ideas into a beautiful finished bag. You can see the outcome of the design drawings and my leather swatch choice in the photo section.
I’m hard on my work bags. I usually go through less expensive leather bags every 2 – 3 years plus they always need costly repair work. As long as my reddish brown leather bag lasts at least 5 years without needing something fixed, the custom handmade price I paid is better than buying several cheaper bags.
I’ve never set foot in any meatspace Village Tannery store. My whole transaction from first contact to bag completion was done via phone and email from California. I can’t draw so I used photos from the web to communicate my vision. Don’t be too scared to work with them remotely if you have a good idea of what you want.

Very good!
I have had 2 custom bags made at this place (and their other location on Great Jones) and have ben satisfied with them both.
I have also had bags repaired here and have always been happy with the service, results and turn-​around time. This place is THA BOMB! They are such great artisans there and can make pretty much anything out of leather for you.
This is the LAST of a dying breed of store in NYC… Family owned and operated, custom designs — endless selection and GREAT QUALITY. Yes, it costs more the filene’s basement so don’t go in there looking for 2 for 1 sales.
This is about QUALITY products made by leather artisans.
Sevested (sp), the designer, is outstanding and will work with you on your designs and ideas.
Please support this business and go buy something here before it turns into another «Boost Mobile» store.
Be a real man, buy from a real NYC leather shop, not a chain Kenneth Cole boutique on Broadway or 5^th Avenue.

Super friendly people working in this great shop. They do beautiful work, and will ship it to you. I love the pride and attention to the quality of the pieces they create.