BY MICHELLE KEY
PUBLISHER
OPELIKA — What began with coffee and a veteran’s interest in leathercraft has grown into a venture offering hand-stitched leather goods and espresso-infused chocolates at two Opelika businesses.
Boonie Hat Coffee Company’s expansion draws on trips to Nashville and Houston, where Sharon and Luis Saavedra explored leathercraft and chocolate businesses. They used Google to create their own trails of shops and makers in both cities, finding inspiration in products that travelers might otherwise overlook.
“People love discovering gems hidden in plain sight,” Luis Saavedra said.
The leatherworking side of the business began with Luis’ veteran art therapy. He said he started making high-quality knife sheaths for a knife display at a local coffee shop. Luis said his interest in knives and the craftsmanship grew into Boonie Hat Cutlery, which combined art with functional tools.
“Naturally, you couldn’t have a beautiful knife in a plain leather sheath,” he said.
The display became a conversation starter at the coffee shop, especially for people who might not ordinarily feel comfortable in that setting. As word spread about Luis’s leatherwork, customers began asking for belts, holsters, tote bags and other leather items.
Luis now makes full-grain leather belts, holsters, hair accessories and knife sheaths, along with tote bags. He said he does not generally accept custom orders, although he sometimes takes on projects connected to his veteran art therapy.
The couple said they emphasize durability in their leather products. Rather than design around a target retail price, Luis said he selects materials and hardware intended to last. Synthetic straps give way to full-grain leather, and the tote bags and knife sheaths are currently hand-stitched.
“We approach it from the opposite direction,” Luis and Sharon said. “[We] use beautiful materials that will be durable.”
Chocolate entered the picture after a customer suggested combining it with espresso. Boonie Hat now produces milk and dark chocolates infused with espresso roasted by Luis. The chocolates are hand-tempered in the company’s commercial kitchen in Opelika, and seasonal offerings are planned, including caramel-filled bonbons.
“We are planning a trip to Belgium in the very near future where we will add to our knowledge of fine chocolate,” Luis said. “It is our desire to put the lessons learned on the Belgium trip into the chocolates we’re offering here at home.”
Luis and Sharon said the idea all along was that coffee would just be the beginning for them.
“Coffee is the starting point,” they said.
The new products are available at Manning’s Magnolia Mercantile, where the owners say a longstanding friendship with Michael and Jeanne Manning made the decision to become a vendor an easy one. They see the mercantile as a place where Lee County artists and crafters can connect with shoppers.
“There are many crafters and artists in Lee County that need a place to bring their wares to market,” they said. “Michael and Jeanne are providing that place and we are deeply in their debt.”
Customers can find the leather goods and chocolates at Manning’s Magnolia Mercantile. Chocolates are also sold at Market Street Coffee Shop in downtown Opelika. Online sales of both product lines are planned.
Luis and Sharon offered words of encouragement to veterans and aspiring entrepreneurs.
“If you are a veteran, don’t quit,” they said. “Keep trying, use what you learned in the service and allow it to work for you instead of against you. Press on.”
Their advice to entrepreneurs was simple: “never stop learning.”
