About
Itasca Moccasin was formed in 1986 in the tiny community of Lake George Minnesota, located just to the east of Itasca State Park, famous for being the headwaters of the Mississippi River. The original store was a rustic, shopworn souvenir stand that attracted tourists driving to and from the park.
The founder, Mardel Bents, learned the moccasin-making business after having been sold a set of used equipment from a local craftsman. She spent each winter making handcrafted moccasins in preparation for the summer tourist season. As each summer progressed, supplies dwindled until they were replenished over the next winter season.
Despite the humble beginnings, Bents and her sole employee (now the store manager of our Factory Store) ran the business in a manner that began to separate us from our competitors. First, besides using basic cowhide leathers, she sought out premium game hides from moose, buffalo and elk – all offering a much more luxurious feel than basic cowhide. Second, she incorporated lots of color whenever she was able to, which made our moccasins look different than those found elsewhere. Lastly, she perfected custom fitting techniques that allowed customers with hard-to-fit feet to get pairs that fit perfectly.
