Stage Stop Leather & Gifts closing after 18 years

After almost 18 years of running a business on Hill City Main Street, Judy Walker is retiring and closing the doors of Stage Stop Leather & Gifts (SSLG). 

Walker and her late husband Larry moved to Hill City from Faith in December of 2005. They had been looking all over for a place to move, and Walker said, “When we came to Hill City, there was just a feel that this was the place. And we were right, it was.”

Around the same time, a former employer of Walker’s knew someone in Hill City who was selling his business after a year. It turned out to be SSLG. 

“We just checked it out, and it kind of fit us,” said Walker. “I just feel we were led here.” 

“I thought it would be something my husband would enjoy, and I knew I would enjoy it so we took a leap of faith,” Walker said. “It’s been an awesome journey.”

Walker and her husband took ownership of SSLG May 1, 2006. They had never owned something like this before and had no transition period to learn from the previous owner. Instead, they simply figured it out as they went. 

“It was trial and error,” said Walker. 

They decided to keep the name since “It was fitting for the Black Hills with the history,” said Walker.

However, the Walkers changed other things to suit their own preferences and tastes. Their main goals were to have high-quality products, sell things made in the USA and enjoy the public. 

“We really liked getting as much local art and just different things that people made,” said Walker.

Over the years, a lot of the artists simply walked through the door and asked Walker to look at their products. Walker said they always took the time to do so even if they did not incorporate the products in the store. As of last year, Walker had local products from 25 different artists in SSLG. 

“They’re all wonderful people so I feel blessed that I’ve been able to do this,” said Walker. 

To decide what was sold in SSLG Walker said she watched and listened to visitors. Through this observation, she picked up ideas for what other people might want to have in their homes. 

“I tried to have a variety throughout the store,” said Walker.

Over the years, they sold local art, buffalo skulls decorated with dried flowers and plant materials from the Black Hills, South West jewelry, local jewelry, Leanin’ Tree cards, purses, Native American made jewelry boxes and arrows, jackets, western boots, goat’s milk soap and more. 

One item the Walkers spent a long time looking for was the USA-made high-grade steel knives with antler handles made from elk, white tail deer or caribou. They came with a leather sheath and a lifetime warranty, and Walker said they sold many of them.

Another local artist made horsehair pottery with color and embellishments that were sold in SSLG. Walker said the artist has won numerous awards, and “It’s been fun to watch her grow as an artist since 2007.” 

“One thing that is very unique about Hill City, most of the businesses are owned by local people who live here. This is very much our community, and we work together and cross-market and have respect for each other. And people who come here as visitors feel it, and they’re amazed,” said Walker. 

Walker said if one business owner does not have a product a visitor is looking for, they send the visitor down the street to the business that has it. 

“It’s just a warm town, and I hope it can stay that way community wise,” said Walker. 

To add to the warmth of the community, Walker made sure everyone who came through the door was welcomed and greeted. They visited with customers, hoped their experience in the Hills was wonderful and discussed travel plans. 

“It’s been a wonderful adventure in my lifetime. You got to meet people from all over the world, and I’ve made lifetime friends,” said Walker. 

Walker said she was amazed by the way people opened up to her at times. One lady came in looking “fit to be tied.” Walker greeted her and ended up getting a stool so she could sit down and share what was going on in her life. Walker listened, tried to calm the woman and said a prayer with her. 

“Sometimes God just leaves me in places that I’m just shocked,” said Walker. “You don’t know what goes on in people’s lives.” 

Another time, a police officer from northern California told Walker how his children were struggling in school because they were Christian conservatives. He talked about the hate and division in people and how fortunate we are in the Hills. He said it felt so good coming east that he cried standing at Mount Rushmore. 

It was already near closing time, but Walker listened, “and I’m thinking, oh my gosh, how we’re so fortunate, and we’ve got to hold onto that.” 

In light of this, it seems fitting that Walker was once awarded the Hospitality Business of the Year Award by the Hill City Area Chamber of Commerce. 

Walker also had a lot of international visitors over the years. One year a group of nine bikers came through town who rode from Central America for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. Another time, Walker sold western boots to a lady from Switzerland who hopped around the store in the boots saying, “Yeehaw.” The next year she came back with a friend. 

“We just enjoyed it,” said Walker. “I practically had a memory of every day because there’s good in every day.”

“There are some really awesome things I get to remember,” said Walker. “It’s been a wonderful part of my life, and I just feel so blessed to have been able to have the opportunity.”

After going around and around in her mind, Walker decided it was time to retire and close SSLG around February of 2024. 

“My yardstick of life is getting shorter, and I want to spend time with grandkids, kids and be able to go to things, connect with old friends,” said Walker. 

Since the miner and the mule on display in front of the store were loaned to Walker, they will soon be gone too. However, Walker was glad to have had them and said it was fitting for the history of the area. 

Walker is planning to live in Hill City through the summer and then see where life takes her from there. 

“I’m going to miss all the people who come through the doors. Kathy (Hales), the gal who works with me, she has been a blessing to me. Just all my Hill City neighbors, the Main Street—I’m going to miss it all really. It’s going to be tough,” said Walker. “It’s going to be bittersweet.” 

SSLG will be officially closing Saturday, April 27. After that, a new gift shop will be taking over the space. 

“I wish her well,” said Walker. “It’ll be good.”