Why Tack and Habit Shoppe?
The Tack and Habit Shoppe is much more than just a store - it's the culmination of carefully designed long-term plans that arose out of necessity. After Stonehouse Stables, a full-service hunt seat equestrian facility, set up shop in 1996, the need for a nearby tack shop was clear. Though another lovely shop filled the void temporarily, the business eventually failed to maintain what equestrians needed and closed their doors. Luckily, the family-owned business team had the foresight to build their own tack and habit shop right at Stonehouse's barnyard gate in Toano, Virginia.
Breaking into the business presented many challenges. Fortunately, our business investor and premiere planner was a man with great vision and the will to pursue what seemed so daunting to the rest of us. Plans were drawn, contracts made, and the foundation poured in October of 2015.
The building went up and was finished in time for a soft opening in June of 2016. Almost immediately, we realized that the shop part of the building was not large enough. But of course, our planner had anticipated that! So, in 2017, the addition was accomplished, and the permanent footprint of the Tack and Habit Shoppe was complete.
That clarifies the building part of the shop but not so fast! The acquisition of vendors, buying, and building a clientele was by far the larger challenge. To meet market demand, Tara Mathews Best runs both Stonehouse Stables and The Tack and Habit Shoppe. From attending trade shows to learning new software, she manages everything from staffing the store to stocking inventory while building an excellent reputation.
One of the advantages of our tack shop is our location on an active horse farm. While that is most convenient for our own boarders, it also means that customers from other barns find knowledgeable and friendly staff who are more than willing to share their expertise in finding the right fit for their needs. Now featuring over 50 vendors like R.J. Classics, Charles Owen, and Horseware Ireland, and with an online division on Shopify to boot, customers always find knowledgeable staff willing to help them find what they need at The Tack and Habit Shoppe which lives up to its motto: "From Helmet to Hoof!"