After more than 165 years in business, the Olde Hide House Acton, Ontario’s iconic leather destination, is set to close its doors for good. Renowned for its extensive leather goods selection, this family-run business has drawn visitors to Acton for years, cementing its place as a cornerstone of the local community.
On Friday, November 1, Danbury Global Ltd. and A.D. Hennick & Associates Inc. will begin the store’s final liquidation sale, offering substantial discounts on its renowned inventory of high-quality leather items.
For generations, The Olde Hide House has attracted shoppers eager to “drive to Acton” for its wide array of leather goods. Housed in a historic warehouse, the store has been a vital part of Ontario’s retail landscape, drawing approximately 300,000 visitors each year. Now, as it prepares to close, the store’s remaining inventory of leather goods, furniture, and accessories will be sold off in one last event.
Shifting consumer preferences, a lack of e-commerce and a challenging economy have contributed to the company’s closure, leaving the retailer with a substantial amount of unsold inventory.
Acton’s Leather Heritage and The Olde Hide House
The Olde Hide House Acton is deeply intertwined with Acton’s rich leather heritage, dating back to the 19th century when brothers Rufus, Zenas, and Ezra Adams founded the town initially named Adamsville. In 1844, the town was renamed Acton, quickly establishing itself as a hub for leather manufacturing and later being called “Canada’s Leathertown.”
In 1856, George L. Beardmore established Beardmore & Co. in Acton, creating one of the largest tanneries in the British Empire, with facilities covering over a million square feet. This thriving leather business fueled the local economy, and in 1899, Beardmore & Co. built a brick warehouse—the “Hide House”—alongside the railway to store raw hides. Although Beardmore’s tannery ceased operations years ago, the building became a symbolic representation of Acton’s leather legacy.
The Olde Hide House opened in 1980 after Fred Dawkins, Ron Heller, and Don Dawkins transformed the historic warehouse into Canada’s largest leather store. With its renowned tagline, “It’s worth the drive to Acton,” The Olde Hide House quickly became a destination, offering thousands of leather garments, accessories, and home furnishings.
Leather Goods and Furnishings at The Olde Hide House Acton
Inside the Olde Hide House, visitors have found a vast array of high-quality leather products. The Lifetime Furniture Gallery showcases complete room settings featuring premium leather furniture from respected manufacturers like Good Earth and Bradington-Young.
The store’s robust selection includes leather jackets, coats, gloves, handbags, and accessories that appeal to both fashion-conscious customers and motorcyclists. Seasonal offerings have included lightweight spring jackets, winter shearling coats, and fur-lined hooded jackets. Additionally, The Olde Hide House offers unique items like moccasins, slippers, cowhide rugs, and rustic wood furnishings, catering to diverse customer tastes.
This store’s attraction extended globally, drawing international visitors from over 40 countries, some of whom traveled specifically to explore the Olde Hide House’s impressive leather collection. Its guestbook records countless international shoppers who found their way to Acton, making the store a landmark destination.
The Final Liquidation Sale
The store’s upcoming liquidation marks the end of an era. “With a huge selection of leather goods and household furnishings, it’s a rare chance to own a piece of Canadian retail history,” says Jonathan Ordon, CEO of Danbury Global. Alex Hennick, President of A.D. Hennick & Associates, encourages shoppers to secure items that “can be passed down through generations.”
With over $5 million worth of stock, the sale offers customers the opportunity to purchase quality leather jackets, handbags, and home furnishings at discounted prices—a fitting farewell to a store that has been part of Ontario’s retail heritage.
Changing Trends and Impact on Acton
Changing consumer preferences have contributed to The Olde Hide House’s decline. In recent years, demand for traditional leather coats has decreased as shoppers increasingly opt for synthetic and vegan alternatives, including leather-like materials crafted from pineapple fibers and recycled plastics. Additionally, consumers now prefer lighter, more versatile outerwear that aligns with modern, eco-conscious values, presenting challenges for established leather retailers.
The retailer also lacked online sales, representing a missed sales opportunity for its global fan base.
The store’s closure represents a significant loss for Acton, a small town with fewer than 10,000 residents. The Olde Hide House has long been a primary driver of local tourism, drawing nearly 300,000 visitors annually and benefiting surrounding businesses. Its closure could impact other local businesses that have relied on increased foot traffic from visitors drawn by Acton’s leather heritage.
As Acton’s most iconic retail destination, The Olde Hide House has been instrumental in supporting the town’s economy, and its closure could lead to a shift in Acton’s identity. Known as “Canada’s Leathertown” for decades, Acton may experience a notable change as it bids farewell to a retailer that has both shaped its history and drawn in visitors from across Canada and beyond.
See below for more photos of inside the Olde Hide House in Acton, Ontario, in October 2024. Photos: A.D. Hennick & Associates Inc.
