The Leather Works

The Leather Works — The Finest Handcrafted Leather Goods in Gatlinburg
The Bottom Line:

When you want to take the spirit of the Great Smoky Mountains everywhere you go, equip yourself with beautiful belts, hats, and more from The Leather Works. At this Gatlinburg shop, you can get high-quality leather goods made with flair and even customized to your liking. You’ll want to set aside tons of time for every trip since there is so much to see at their shop.

- The SmokyMountains.com Local Expert Team

If you’re ready to get well-equipped for all your Smoky Mountain adventures, put The Leather Works on your itinerary. Located in the heart of Gatlinburg, this little shop boasts tons of stylish gear, ranging from hats and barrettes to belts and holsters. No matter what catches your eye, you can trust that each item is handmade using the finest materials and plenty of tender love and care. 

With its covered porch, weathered plank siding, and iconic ranch house design, the storefront sets the stage for an excellent shopping experience. From there, it just gets better and better, as their quality service always aims to impress. They happily welcome everyone through the doors with a friendly greeting and invite you to try on all the fan favorites. 

As you check out each item, don’t skip the chance to see how fine you look in a raccoon hat. You might take one home once you get a glimpse of yourself in the mirror. Even if you don’t find what you’re looking for, you’ll undoubtedly be shocked at just how much time you spent wandering around the shop. With so many things to see, it can take over an hour to get from end to end, especially if you stop to try everything on at least once or twice. 

Their most popular leather goods include:

Belts
People come from far and wide to pick up their very own customized belts from this shop. They will trim, punch, and embellish your selected belt to your liking right as you watch. You can even get your name or a fun saying along the surface if you would like. They’re so skillful at the task that it only takes about a minute per belt, too. 

Wallets
Although their wallets are not custom, their fantastic designs will make you feel like they are. The design options often change, giving you new ones to consider each time you stop by. And although their excellent craftsmanship ensures they last for ages, you’ll want to pick out a new one at least once a year. 

Handbags
The beautiful handbags are a true sight to behold and available in nearly every configuration imaginable. They have everything from simple clutches to messenger bags and everything in between. Like the wallets, they are sure to last a lifetime, but that doesn’t mean you won’t want to get another one sooner than later. 

Barrettes
If you want to make a simple ponytail look extraordinary, you need one of their leather barrettes. Each one features a beautiful scene or other design that lets the beauty of the leather stand out. You can get just one and use it until it wears out or try to collect them all if you dare. 

Although they’ve been serving the community since 1979, they still don’t have a website. So, if you find yourself back at home yearning for their goods, you’ll have to plan another trip to town to pick up what suits your fancy. Many people even make it a tradition to cruise back into the area whenever their belts give up the ghost and beg for replacement.

Insider Tips: 
– Their hours often change with the seasons, so check when they’re open before heading down.
– If you’re a veteran, let them know at checkout for 10% off your purchase.
– Although it’s quite rare, black bears have been known to meander through the parking lot from time to time. So, keep your eyes peeled before hopping out of your car.