Category Archives: Featured

Featured: New Balance Shoes

It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these but I wanted to start it up again. This time I feature one of the big guys: New Balance. This may come as a surprise but New Balance has been around since 1938 and is the only company that still manufactures athletic shoes here in the US. Unfortunately, not all of their shoes are made here but a quarter of all new balance shoes sold in North America are made here. They have multiple plants in the northeast including one in Norridgewock, Maine that produces custom 574′s from start to finish. You can custom build your 574 online and they make the shoe to your specs from sole to laces and package and ship it from right there in Maine. They also provide footwear to all five branches of the military including the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon. The company purchases goods and services from over 38 U.S.-based suppliers who employ more than 5,000 U.S. workers. While 25% domestic manufacturing isn’t perfect, it’s definitely a start and it feels good to know some of the big guys are still trying to keep people employed here in the states. I know what brand my next pair of running shoes will be.

New Balance
www.NewBalance.com

Featured: Americana Dry Goods

Today’s write up brings you Etsy retailer Americana Dry Goods. Founder, Shaun Garcia of Americana Dry Goods brings you small batch, hand-crafted dry goods that honor those hard working men and women of yesterday. Shaun comes from a family of mill workers in a small mill village and strives to bring that feel to his shop. His wares include small batch, hand-crafted goods such as belts and wallets, as well as vintage finds. So if you’re looking for a unique gift be sure to check them out. Although it’s probably too late for Mother’s Day you procrastinators. I’ve got my eye on that old Carpenter’s light.

Americana Dry Goods
South Carolina
Americana Dry Goods

 

Featured: Best Made

Happy Monday all! Today I bring you Best Made, a company based in New York that specializes in axes made right here in the US. That’s right axes, and some other cool stuff too.
I found these guys a couple years ago and have been lusting after their Hudson Bay axe ever since. They started in 2009 with axes and have since added a plethora of useful tools and gadgets with the outdoor enthusiast in mind. Their axes are made in North Carolina of Appalachian hickory and US Steel and a lot of their other goods are made in the US too. As useful as they are, the axes have also been sought after as art objects by the likes of designers, artists, and entrepreneurs and currently seven of the axes hang in the Saatchi Gallery in London.
I want on and I plan on buying one for my brother this year for his birthday so expect to see one in use in DeerCamp this winter. So if you’re in the market for a new axe or some other good camp gear check out Best Made.

Best Made Company
New York, USA
BestMadeCo.com

 

Featured: Makr Carry Goods

Today I’m starting a new thing here at Straight Shooters North America. My intention is to write a short article every week featuring a company or person that creates some sort of product/good right here in America. At first I’ll try to focus on the little guy but I would like to include larger companies like American Apparel too. So, to start things off I wanted to let you guys know about this great company in Winter Park, Fl called Makr.

I may be a little biased because I carry one of their wallets every day but I believe these guys make the best stuff out there. They’re a small studio in Florida that makes leather wallets, iPhone sleeves, bags, and even home goods like barstools. My wife got me one of their flap wallets in Oxblood Horween leather for our first Christmas together. One of the reasons I decided to keep her! Their products start off the same way any great product does: with a sketch. That sketch then goes to CAD and from there they start building prototypes. Under the watchful eye of Founder and Design Director Jason Gregory the products are scrutinized at every level from material selection to production. They use American suppliers whenever possible and even source some of their wood from local fallen trees. So if you’re in the market for a wallet that’s going to last you – hit em up.

Makr Carry Goods.
Winter Park Fl
Makr.com