New SLO store sells leather bags, wallets made in Africa — and it aims to ‘uplift women’
A new handcrafted leather goods store is open in San Luis Obispo — and it aims to help at-risk women in Africa.
Parker Clay held its grand opening Nov. 6 in its 1,000-square-foot space at San Luis Obispo Public Market at Bonetti Ranch, located at the corner of South Higuera Street and Tank Farm Road.
Products for sale include premium leather bags, totes, wallets, backpacks and bracelets.
Launched by Ian and Brittany Bentley in Santa Barbara, Parker Clay has more than 100 Ethiopian employees who produce the crafts imported to California for sale using sustainable and fair trade practices, according to their website.
Many of those workers transitioned from prostitution and the sex trade in Ethiopia.
Parker Clay works to “provide dignified employment and uplift women out of exploitation,” according to a company news release.
Leather goods company has positive mission
Parker Clay is a certified B Corporation, which means it has passed third-party assessment for social and environmental performance. In other words, the business operates in a way that “positively impacts their employees, customers, suppliers, community and the global environment,” a store spokesperson said in an email.
Parker Clay is “committed to paying living wages and benefits, providing skills training and financial literacy opportunities to all of their employees, 46% of whom are receiving a salary for the first time ever,” according to the Parker Clay spokesperson.
Parker Clay prides itself on sourcing its leather sustainably from “local Ethiopian providers who treat their animals with care and respect,” the company said on its website.
SLO store is second Central Coast location
The new Parker Clay store is located at 110 Tank Farm Road, Suite No. 130, in San Luis Obispo.
It’s the company’s second brick-and-mortar retail location in the United States, joining a flagship store in Santa Barbara.
The San Luis Obispo store will showcase the value of each purchase with a noteworthy “impact wall.”
“The wall includes key information on our international impact and hours of empowerment provided to women in Ethiopia, all done through a community art installation,” company co-founder Brittany Bentley said.
Through a partnership with retailer Neighborhood Goods, Parker Clay plans to open three new locations — Chelsea Market in New York and spots in Austin and Dallas, Texas — starting in mid-November.
Parker Clay aims to open 10 new locations by 2025.
Parker Clay is the second shop to open in the SLO Public Market after Orangetheory Fitness launched in late June. Other merchants slated to join the retail center include a craft beer shop, a general store, a hair salon, a yoga studio and several restaurants.
Parker Clay is open 10 a.m. to 5 pm. Wednesday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The shop is closed Monday and Tuesday.
This story was originally published November 9, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
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