by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Burro Bags moved into The Letter Shop on Forsyth Street about a year ago, bringing the company’s product line of messenger bags made with recycled billboard material Downtown.
In addition to the cutting and sewing room, the building also offered the opportunity to open a retail store for the bags and a used-record store.
In that year, quite a bit has changed.
Burro Bags has had to redesign the signature product line due to the outdoor advertising industry becoming more environmentally conscious.
Some new products have been created and have taken their place under the “Burro” banner and there’s a new person operating the vinyl-record side of the concept.
There’s also a new Downtown live entertainment offering in the works that’s spun off from the company.
In addition to new colors for spring, the classic Burro Bag now features a heavy-duty vinyl liner instead of the original recycled billboard material, said Jack Twachtman, who’s in charge of marketing and social media at Burro Bags.
The original concept for Burro Bags was to rescue old billboards before they made it to landfills, where the old material could exist for hundreds of years before deteriorating. Using the billboard material also made every Burro Bag one of a kind.
“The industry started using a lighter, more biodegradable material. It’s good for the environment, but we had to change our design,” he said.
The new Burro Bag is lined with material that’s more consistently available than recycled billboards, which has streamlined the fabrication process and product availability.
“But it’s still 100 percent American-made, both materials and labor,” said Twachtman.
The padded, adjustable shoulder strap has been redesigned to accommodate both right-handed and left-handed customers. Some new colors have also been added for the spring fashion season, including a new silver model and a bright red durable Cordura material.
One of the new products in the line is selling briskly in the shop, said Jess Wells, who manages the retail side of the operation at The Letter Shop. Like the original messenger bag, it was inspired by those who are cycling aficionados.
“Pedal straps are really popular with the BMXers,” said Wells.
Burro backpacks, hip packs and the new “Party Belt” that allows the wearer to strap six 12-ounce cans of a favorite beverage around the waist, are also selling well, both in the store and on the website, said Wells.
The newest product soon to be marketed under the Burro brand isn’t an item to wear. It’s a new Downtown entertainment venue, said Twachtman.
“Burro Bar” is scheduled to open in time for the May 4 Art Walk in the former London Bridge Pub at Ocean and Adams streets.
“It’s going to be a live music venue that serves beer and wine rather than a beer and wine bar that has bands,” he said.
To see the new products and other updates on the Burro Bags line of accessories, visit the retail store at 228 E. Forsyth St. across from the Yates Building or www.burrobags.com.
356-2466