When Kristian Moore bought Letherwerks from its original proprietor, Joel Wood, in 2006, it was one of the longest running businesses in Taos.
Originally housed just east of Taos Plaza, Joel moved Letherwerks into its current location in the John Dunn Shops when Harvey Mudd bought the original building. Today, thanks to Polly Raye, the John Dunn Shops bear little resemblance to the original run down row of buildings along the rickety boardwalk that connected the Plaza to Bent Street.
Yet Letherwerks thrived then and throughout the renovations and changes made to the buildings over the years. Offering quality leather products to its patrons as well as offering efficient cleaning and care tips for leather items such as never use oil on leather when trying to condition it, giving people the opporutnity to get the most from their leather fashion pieces.
Joel’s craftsmanship and commitment to producing hand-made, quality leather goods continues under Kristian’s watch.
Kristian began his apprenticeship with Joel in 2003, shortly after moving to Taos “to get healthy and dry out from too much partying in LA,” he laughs.
Like many aspiring actors, Jon Kristian Moore (as he’s known in the business) had moved to Los Angeles to try his luck in the motion picture industry.
Growing up in Ketchum, Idaho, he was drawn to acting as a child and performed on the stage all through his school years. He received his B.F.A. in Acting (four-year conservatory program) at the Cornish College of the Arts before heading for the Golden State with dreams of the silver screen.
When he’s not in the shop or exercising his thespian muscle, he’s often on his motorcycle riding through the canyons and freeways of the Land of Enchantment, frequently with his old friend and mentor, Joel Wood and their leather-clad gang of biker buddies.
