Outlaw Leathers

John P. Louvar, or J.P. as most know him, first started dabbling in leatherwork around 2006. "I just started making reigns," he said, "and I tooled a belt for myself."

Now, 11 years later, Louvar is turning that hobby into a business. Outlaw Leathers, a custom boot & tack and western apparel store recently opened on Main Street in Ekalaka. The business is located inside what used to be RB's Home Cooking.

Over the years, Louvar has done quite a bit of leatherwork for family and friends, but it was an accident that happened on his 40th birthday that led to starting the business.

"I was moving cows for the first time on a four wheeler. I guess maybe as a cowboy I should have stuck to a horse," he joked.

The accident, which took place on April 20 of last year, resulted in an extended stay at the hospital and left Louvar with an ailing back problem. Since he could no longer work full-time as a hired hand, Louvar considered learning another trade.

"I wanted to go to farrier school, but my doctor told me that my back wouldn't hold up."

Instead, many close to him suggested that he expand his hobby leatherwork business. So Louvar, who had been completely self-taught, headed to Billings and attended a five-week custom boot making course at Eisele's Custom Footwear.

"The course usually takes eight weeks to complete," Louvar continued, "but I already had a head start working with leather and with the machines. It was more of an apprenticeship than a school. I just followed Kevin [Eisele] around and built boots. I went to the school with starting this business in mind."

After finishing the course, Louvar traveled to Quanah, Texas and bought the equipment he needed.

"I bought the whole shop. All of these machines came from there. They filled up a horse trailer."

In all, there are about 10 machines in his shop, each for a different task. Louvar is still working out the kinks on a few of them. He already has orders for a few pairs of custom boots and a pile of boots to repair.

In addition to making custom boots and repairing old ones, Louvar also has a lot of tack for sale. In two to three weeks he will be adding western apparel including shirts, pants, and coats.

Some of the tack inside Outlaw Leathers has been handmade by Louvar, the rest is from Montana Leather and Cactus Ropes. The shop has an array of chinks, stirrups, headstalls, saddle blankets, bits, ropes, and even spurs. The most interesting piece in the store, though, is a handmade bridle.

"That bridle took me about four years to finish," he said. "The entire thing is made of horse hair, about five pounds worth."

Louvar is certainly excited about his new venture, though he knows the work has just begun. He is still working on filling up the store with inventory and repairing a few of the machines.

"It's crazy right now but starting to come together. Soon, I'll have this [building] all filled up. Then I can start working some regular hours."

Hopefully, Ekalaka residents and visitors will take advantage of having a boot & tack and western apparel store in Ekalaka. There are certainly always boots in need of repair, and who better to repair them than a local opening a new area business.

Louvar invites everyone to stop in and see Outlaw Leathers. He can also be reached at 406-750-7033 for questions or to take custom orders.