“We have made things from the bottom of the ocean all the way up into space… we made a monkey suit once. We made it so he could push buttons,” Murray said. “We’ve also done work for people who have castles in foreign countries and made uniforms. There is not much we have not made.”
The store specializes in motorcycle apparel and carries all types of vests, jackets, chaps, and saddle bags. They also sew on patches to leather apparel or accessories.
Leather 4-U does custom leather orders, such as holsters, wallets, belts, purses and anything made out of leather really.
“My answer to people is real simple – you cannot compete with God. God made it, it’s got to be good, so that’s what we work with,” Esther said.
During the holiday season, Leather 4- U is offering discounts on jackets and chaps, as well as military caps.
They also have a beautiful array of jewelry, belt buckles, dream catchers and hats.
“At one time we made everything we sold,” Esther said. “We traveled in the beginning and did fairs.”
Esther’s business partner Dee Rouse and her opened their own leather store in Gulf Shores in the early 1970s.
“Then a hurricane said hello and we said goodbye, so then we moved to Pensacola in 1973 in the McDonalds shopping center. A property became available on Beverly Parkway. We were there until 2012,” Esther said.
They sold the storefront and planned to retire, but ended up getting back into business in 2012 when they opened the Milton shop, Leather 4-U.
The love for leather started in school for Dee Rouse.
“The teacher couldn’t keep her attention, so she suggested leatherwork, and she took off with that,” Esther recalled. “She worked on leather on her parent’s farm and had her own little building. She made products for people in Chicago and worked with horse equipment.”
Esther’s business partner Dee unfortunately passed away earlier this year, so Esther is continuing Dee’s leather legacy at Leather 4-U.
Esther met Dee in college and her love for leather made quite the impression on Esther.
“I got intrigued and gave up my job at Allen Bradley Electrical Company,” Esther recalled.
That was in 1971. She has been working in leather ever since.
The leather sold at Leather 4-U is authentic and top-of-the-line and brand new. They also offer repair and leather cleaning and conditioning, as well as zipper repair.
“I stand behind everything in this shop,” Esther said.
Quality is what sets leather apart from any of its imitators.
“It lasts a long time,” Esther said. “Occasionally it needs an oil job, like your body needs lotion. It’s the same thing.”
Esther suggests bringing your leather goods in periodically for conditioning.
“When it starts feeling dry, that’s the time you should clean it or condition it.”
Leather 4-U also sell supplies for anyone into leatherworking as a hobby or business. They sell all the findings – needles, tools and dyes – and the leather itself.
Leather 4-U will be closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The store is open Tues – Friday 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
During the weekends, Leather 4-U has a mini store set up inside T&W Flea Market in Pensacola on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Leather 4-U
6422 Highway 90, Milton, FL 32570
(850) 549-6203
Store open Tues. to Fri. 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Booth open in T&W Flea Market in Pensacola
Sat. and Sun. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.