Jere Franklin, Brackney Leather owner and founder, stands with some of the leather belts and apparel the business has carried for 40 years. Mirror photo by Walt Frank

A leather goods store that has been in Altoona for 40 years is closing its doors.

The last day of business for Brackney Leather in Plank Road Commons will be Memorial Day, May 25.

The retail store is closing because the manager who ran the business for 34 years (Kathy Albarano) passed away in December, said company owner and founder Jere Franklin.

“She was so loyal to us, we kept it open for her, if not for her we would have closed years ago,” Franklin said.

Brackney Leather is a renowned Pennsylvania-based outfitter specializing in handmade leather apparel, motorcycle gear, and accessories. Founded in Northeastern Pennsylvania (Wyoming, Luzerne County), the company grew from local roots into a prominent retailer, supplying leather goods, biker apparel and custom boots, according to its website.

“It started as a hobby with my brother Scott, we were doing things like craft shows and it grew from there,” Franklin said.

Brackney Leather’s manufacturing plant remains in Wyoming and the retail store there will remain open, Franklin said.

Brackney Leather’s big sellers have been belts and motorcycle gear such as jackets and vests.

“We manufacture a couple of hundred belts a day in our factory. Anything leather we have had over the years,” Franklin said.

In addition to selling products at its retail store, Brackney Leather sells its products “to people who sell on the web.’

“Forty percent of what we produce goes to Japan,” Franklin said.

The business had been in the Logan Valley Mall before the December 1994 fire and moved to Plank Road Commons shortly after the fire, Franklin said.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.