Ellington Leather Company History.

Today Ellington is a team of ten creative and talented people. Our bags are sold through unique specialty stores, internet stores and better catalogs around the country. We also do extensive private label and corporate gift product in a wide range of materials and price points.

Like our Original Rucksack, our products aren’t fussy or formal; some are fun, some are functional but all are built with character, craftsmanship and quality. Our price points reflect the value you receive without a needless “logo” mark-up.

Our goal is simple: strive to continually improve and expand our products and create long-term, successful relationships with our customers. It is advice from you that helps us in this direction, so keep it coming!

Our hope is that you feel at home here, and that our products will fit your lifestyle and your needs. Whether you’re searching for a new line for your store, a great gift or your own ideal briefcase, we’re sure you won’t be disappointed.

My enthusiasm convinced them and I headed home to sell my first product...The Original Rucksack. I took my middle name (Ellington) stamped it on my bags and put a one-inch ad in The New Yorker. I think I sold two pieces, but it was a start and our brand was born.

A few years into the business, I convinced my fiancé to abandon his career and come work as my partner. In December of 1990, in the midst of a blizzard, we married, moved the business to Portland and started working together. While I had some good ideas, I was too afraid to sell anything. Ed excels at it so our partnership was a great fit. Ellington has evolved into a family-owned business complete with three great kids and a couple of misbehaving dogs.