February 6, 2024
It all started in 1973 in the tiny town of Taos, NM, with a bale of sheepskins, a vintage sewing machine, and the unwavering notion that if you did something right, the rest would take care of itself. Crafted by hand and bought for warmth and style, the first Overland sheepskin coats were immediate hits, sold out of a tiny adobe storefront that saw visitors from across the American West.
One iconic coat turned into another—each painstakingly made by hand to naturally insulate against cold weather and to last for years. With this success, the Overland product assortment soon expanded to sheepskin slippers, rugs, and accessories. Today, Overland’s offering includes a comprehensive assortment of men’s and women’s outerwear, footwear, accessories, and home decor items skillfully crafted from the finest natural fibers.
Overland is and has always been a family business (see opening photo). Soon after its launch, multiple members of the Leahy family joined to help with the growing demand for sheepskin coats and accessories. Jerry and Marge Leahy, the founder’s parents, began scouring America’s most beautiful natural settings to open Overland retail locations. Under their creative vision and dedication to quality, sustainability, and family, they helped create the prototype of what Overland stores look and feel like today, instilling a commitment to quality products and service in every Overland employee.
2023 was a year of expansion for Overland with two new store openings, one of which was a return to Truckee. “We opened the previous Overland Sheepskin Co. store in 1978 and stayed in Truckee for almost 20 years,” Roger Leahy, CEO and co-owner of Overland said. “This beautiful mountain town has always spoken to Overland’s ethos, and we’re excited to return to downtown Truckee. We’ve been looking for a location in town for a while and are thrilled to have found the perfect spot in the heart of Truckee. Every Overland store is a welcoming, authentic place with expert sales staff passionate about our products’ quality, craftsmanship, and value.”
The Overland store opened in Truckee in early December and measures 2,400 square feet. Showcased in the front of the store is a selection of artisan-crafted sheepskin coats and leather jackets. Venture in further and discover seasonal footwear, hats, accessories, rugs, pillows, and more. Striking catalog imagery shot on-location in breathtaking spots across the West hangs on the walls, while modern rustic fixtures throughout reference the Overland aesthetic. The photo above shows the official ribbon cutting with Truckee Chamber of Commerce Board Members and staff, Truckee Mayor Dave Polivy, and Overland managers wearing Overland coats.
Overland Sheepskin Co. is located at 10072 Donner Pass Road, Truckee, California 96161, and is open Sunday-Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, call 530-536-3007 or visit Overland.com.
