I found a used saddle marked Phelan’s Sausalito, California. I can’t find any reference to Phelan’s on line. Can anyone fill me in on if this is/ was a tack shop or individual? Thanks in advance,
I remember getting their catalogs in the early 90’s?
I seem to remember a tack shop by that name in the 90’s.
If it is a dressage saddle try asking at Dressage Extensions, one of the long time employees may remember them.
Maybe cross post this question in the dressage forum? Lots of Californians there.
I’m pretty sure it was a tack shop. (I live in the area.)
Thanks to all. I’ve got as much info as I need and I appeciate your help.
It was a prominent horse tack and apparel shop (warehouse) in Sausalito, Calif. in the early 1990s and was the first mail order catalog for tack and apparel. Mostly saddles, tack, bridles, apparel. The quality was the finest. She sold mail order. We were excited every time an catalog would arrive in our mailbox. The high end saddles were made in Australia and England. The owner name was Patty Phelan. She sold her wares all over the globe. He name is now Ryan Phelan. Those were some good days! Our barn was nearby in Marin Headlands and we always came over to the warehouse. All the riders worked there. Phelan’s was located here: http://www.hiddensf.com/205c-marinsh…rty-ships.html
Mostly what Consanza said. Phelen’s was a neat business, with beautiful catalogs, although by no means the first catalogs for tack and togs. (Miller’s, Eisers, Visalia Stock Saddle Co, etc and individual saddle shops offered catalogs since… well… forever.)
Phelen’s husband at the time was, I believe, the gentleman that started The Whole Earth Catalog, so he knew a lot about beautiful print presentations.
They private-labeled or designed from scratch a lot of innovative products, and had yummy catalogs with beautiful photos and great copy describing the products. I still remember a split riding skirt they made called ‘bombacha’ inspired, by Argentine gaucho pants, if I recall. I had one and it was neat… in fact, I made a split skirt with a similar purpose years later in my own manufacturing company.
Curious, I just found this article about Patricia Ryan Phelen… interesting life, and this article was from 2006. https://www.sfgate.com/magazine/article/The-Social-Entrepreneur-Ryan-Phelan-s-2544385.php
Yes tack shop was in Sausalito. Tended to be pretty high end. Went out of business sometime around the late '90s. I have a gorgeous heavy weight wool cooler in a “Native American” type design that I bought for $80 at the going out of business sale that originally retailed for between $200-$300. It still looks like new.
