Today we’d like to introduce you to Pace Measom.
Hi Pace, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Springbar is an old Salt Lake City brand – Jack Kirkham Sr. designed the first Springbar Tent in 1961 and it has been in continuous production here in Salt Lake to this day. In 2015, I first got to know Jack Jr. (Jack Sr.’s son who was running the business at that time).
Seeing their workshop for the first time was like being in a 1950s time capsule- the old machines, the cotton duck canvas, and really skilled craftspeople. At the time, I’d been working on marketing for well-known ‘heritage’ outdoor brands and it was easy to see the parallels with the Springbar Tent. That’s when I started to get really interested.
We (being myself and a partner) began working with Jack to supplement the USA-made inventory with a line of imported tents made with the original Springbar design and the highest quality possible, the result of the project was the Highline Series of Springbar Tents.
In 2019, we had the opportunity to purchase the business from Jack. We went to work on breathing new life into the USA manufacturing, updating the business model for the digital era, and telling the Springbar story. And that’s what we’re still working to do every day.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In 2021, making a handcrafted product here in the states is hard, and it’s expensive – we joke around the shop that that’s why hardly anyone does it anymore. But it’s also what makes us special and it’s the best thing we do.
We have the most amazing and diverse team of tentmakers- it’s an interesting mix of blue-collar folks who have been sewing tents for decades, refugees from Afghanistan, folks from Mexico, Africa, and the Navajo Nation, and some hip young people working to learn the craft.
Their skill and dedication are an inspiration to me to work through whatever challenges we’re facing.
We’ve been impressed with Springbar, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are a small business in Salt Lake City and we make the legendary Springbar Canvas Tent. Our USA line is handcrafted in our Salt Lake workshop using the original designs and techniques Jack Kirkham developed in the early 1960s when he designed the first Springbar tents.
I’m most proud of our team that shows up every day and works hard to make it happen.
Currently, we sell Springbar Tents in a first-come, first-served monthly drop (we don’t accept pre-orders). We’ll work all month to build tents and then let our followers and email list know the date and time of the release. You can sign up for the list at Springbar.com.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I have a nice cat with three legs.
Contact Info:
- Email: service@springbar.com
- Website: springbar.com
- Instagram: @springbarcanvas
