Country Cobbler of Gatlinburg: Handmade Leather Goods Downtown

About

Country Cobbler of Gatlinburg is a working leather shop run by craftsman Doug McCrossin, who has been making leather goods for more than 50 years. His work has been sold through retailers around the world and used by film studios, yet the shop itself is small and personal, set in Calhoun Village just behind Calhoun's restaurant. For guests who prefer a well-made piece over a souvenir, it is one of the more rewarding stops on the south end of the Parkway.

The range is broad: fashion and Western belts, handbags, satchels and briefcases, notebooks and journals, guitar straps, flasks, pouches, gun holsters and Western chaps and chinks. McCrossin hand-selects his leather and creates his own dyes and finishing techniques in his studio, which gives the pieces a consistent, rich look. Many items can be custom made to your specifications, so it is worth asking about sizing, tooling or a personal touch if you are shopping for a gift.

The shop is at 1004 Parkway, Suite 701, in the Calhoun Village complex. Hours are not posted on the shop's website, so call ahead, especially if you are hoping to discuss a custom order, which may take time to complete and ship. The shop is an easy walk from the southern end of the Parkway near the national park entrance.

Photo: Country Cobbler of Gatlinburg

Did You Know

• Owner Doug McCrossin has worked with leather for more than five decades (Country Cobbler of Gatlinburg).
• McCrossin hand-selects his leather and mixes his own dyes and finishes (Country Cobbler of Gatlinburg).
• His work has been used by celebrities and film studios (Country Cobbler of Gatlinburg).
• The shop sits behind Calhoun's restaurant on the south side of downtown (Country Cobbler of Gatlinburg).