girl-ish
Company Feature: WILL Leather Goods by Elizabeth Giaritelli I am thrilled to bring to you my favorite part of The Consumer, Reinvented series. This is the time when I get to share with you a small handful of companies that I will gladly attach my name to and support. Brew a cup of something delicious, sit back, and escape with me to a place of beauty and wonder. “Beautiful, durable and functional,” the company dubs its fine leather goods. I sat down with Phillip Villegas, who leads sales and PR at the NW 23rd located in Portland, Ore., to understand a bit more about the Will aesthetic and this very special, new location for the company. “Cool culture shock -- thought it was the Portland dynamic, Walk up or down a flight of stairs in this quaint home-turned-store, and you’re instantly greeted by a friendly face offering you a handmade drink of your choosing. With a full espresso bar, you have your pick from a handmade latte, a local microbrew, and many more libations. With warm ambient lighting, the finest details of stitching and hardware are highlighted in each one of the handcrafted products. Along with the showroom of products upstairs, called “The Family House,” is a space downstairs full of found objects from Will’s travels around the world. “Will walked us through each section of the store, telling us story after story,” Villegas said. Coupled with his passion for textiles and leather, its impossible not to be inspired. You’ll fall back in time and escape to a place of western bliss while an old classic record plays. Grab a piece of candy from the vintage shoppe built within the back corner and all your senses will be delighted. The team, of which none are commission-based, is free to roam throughout the house assisting customers and building relationships with those in the community. Upon starting with the company, Villegas quickly noticed something different. “The team is full of warm embracing people who want you to be successful and grow with the company.” He goes on to explain ‘the Will way,’ claiming it to be the perfect environment for creatives--with freedom to try new ideas out and see how they work. An actor originally from Detroit, William Adler started making and selling belts on the Venice boardwalk after the Screen Actors Guild Strike of 1981 put a halt on his acting career. Switching paths more permanently, he established Billy Belts--which he soon sold and moved his family to Eugene, Ore. for a change of pace and scenery. He continued with this trade and worked with companies like Levi’s, Columbia, and Nike. A niche was still left open for his unique and talented set of hands, and Will Leather Goods was born. Today, you can find its products in high-end retailers throughout the country, along with its own store locations in New York City, Portland, and its flagship in Venice Beach. There is something special about this company, and about its store on NW 23rd Street. I encourage you to invest in one of this brand’s timeless products. They are crafted to last a lifetime and your money spent will be buying you not only a “beautiful, durable and functional” product, but an experience and a lasting relationship with those you meet at this lovely retailer.
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