Backwoods Trading Company: Custom Creations in Downtown Kokomo
Downtown Kokomo is seeing a surge of new businesses, and among them is Back Woods Trading Company, a shop offering handcrafted, custom goods and interactive experiences. Nestled between Mo Joe’s Coffee House and Cook McDoogal’s Irish Pub, the store specializes in locally made apparel and hands-on workshops, bringing a new dimension to the city’s growing retail scene.
A Store Built on Customization
Back Woods Trading Company offers a range of personalized products, from leather goods to candles. Customers can visit the candle bar to create their own scented candle, selecting from options like Cuban Cigar and Mountain Spring. The belt bar allows shoppers to pick a leather blank and buckle, which is then cut and sized on-site.
Expanding on its custom offerings, the shop is launching a make-your-own leather tote station, where customers can choose the body, straps, rivets, and stitches of their bag. Once the design is finalized, the tote is stitched together and ready for pickup within 48 hours.
Luke Talley, owner of Back Woods Trading Company, said he wanted to create a place where people could not only buy unique products but also be part of the process.
From Home Workshop to Downtown Storefront
Talley’s journey to business ownership started in his home workshop with no inventory—just an idea. His first products were cocktail smokers, but curiosity led him to experiment with leather patch hats.
“I ordered some fake leather patch hats online and thought, ‘How are these made?’ Found out they use a laser—like the one I had just bought—so I made one and posted it on Facebook as a ‘look what I did’ moment,” he said.
Soon, local businesses were asking for custom hats. Before long, leather patch hats became the focus, and Backwoods Trading Company was born.
After posting his creation on Facebook, orders started rolling in. As demand grew, so did the business. Winning the Drive Competition, a local business pitch contest, in October gave Talley the push he needed to open a physical location. In the last year, Back Woods Trading Company has produced more than 5,000 custom products.
“We’re pumped to keep growing and expanding our custom product lines,” he said.
More Than Just a Store
Beyond retail, Back Woods Trading Company is positioning itself as an interactive destination. The shop will participate in major downtown events throughout the year, as well as industry expos like the Indy Deer, Turkey, and Waterfowl Expo.
In March, the store is launching Totes on Tuesdays, where customers can design and assemble their own leather tote bags. Private workshops and events are also in the works, catering to groups looking for a hands-on experience.
“Our goal is to eventually move manufacturing to an off-site location,” Talley said. “But right now, we’re just stoked to be in such an amazing downtown spot.”
Visit Back Woods Trading Company
Back Woods Trading Company is located at 102 N. Main St., Kokomo. Whether you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind gift or a creative weekend activity, the shop offers a unique blend of retail and DIY experiences.
For more information, visit their Facebook page.
