Nestled in the heart of West Bellevue sits not only one of the country’s most beloved equestrian retailers, but Bellevue’s longest consecutively-running business, Olson’s Tack Shop. Mike Akers, the owner of Olson's Tack, and his incredible team of equestrian outfitters have continued a remarkable shop in which patrons can acquire anything from saddles to riding gloves, shop the equestrian lifestyle with clothes, gifts and house wears, and become part of a flourishing equestrian community in the Pacific Northwest. 

 

Although Olson's Tack Shop has had several remarkable owners in its now 80 years of business, their commitment to quality, customer service, and community building remains. Founded in 1945, upon his return from his service in World War II, Carl Olson, along with his wife, Bea, established the shop in the basement of their Bellevue home. Carl, a skilled leather craftsman, produced goods like chaps, saddles, harnesses. Bea, with an eye for detail, had a proclivity for designing textiles and clothing. Together, they served as crucial members of Bellevue’s then sizable farming community. 

 

In 1978, Joyce Gilpin purchased Olson’s Tack Shop and transformed it into a specialty English tack store. Joyce’s vision of outfitting equestrians with quality tack and riding clothes came to fruition and expanded Olson's to tailoring the Northwest’s vast collection of competition riders and horses. This same vision lives on in Mike Akers, a Bellevue resident, and Olson’s now owner, whose love of horses and the equestrian community is evident the moment you set foot inside the shop’s doors. The smell of fine leather, the racks of carefully hung show coats, and the warm, smiling faces of his staff show you this is no ordinary tack store. Mike has produced a meticulously curated equestrian experience! 

 

Mike, who purchased the shop in 2003, began riding alongside his mother when they lived on Lake Coeur d'Alene. He reminisced on taking the horses to and from his friends' houses and joining Pony Club as soon as he possibly could. This childhood adoration of all things equine continued as he grew up taking dressage and jumping lessons. In 1994, Mike took a gap year from college to work for Dietrich Von Hopffgarten, a well-respected dressage instructor in Redmond, Washington. Mike was then introduced to Olson’s Tack Shop in Bellevue and promptly began helping out and conducting inventory. Little did he know, he would be taking part in his 30th inventory this year. 

Now, just over 30 years later, Mike has a flourishing clientele that includes not only Bellevue’s residents, but people from all over the world. Generations of riders and novice equestrians alike congregate at Olson’s for their renowned quality standards, specialties in custom equine and rider appeal, and their genuine care for each rider that enters the shop. Mike doesn’t just provide the gear; he’s a problem solver who makes sure each horse and rider has everything they need to succeed. Although tack can be found online, there is no replacement for the expertise, quality, and prudence found at Olson’s Tack Shop.  

 

Mike proudly says, “Do what you do and be the very best you can be”, and it shows. Not only does Olson’s serve Olympians and riding masters, but they also serve the equine community in the greater Seattle area. “Giving back is in our DNA,” Mike exclaims. Olson’s donates to all riding clubs in Western Washington, regardless of whether they practice English or Western riding. Notably, Olson’s Tack has a long-standing partnership with Little Bit, a local therapeutic riding center. Mike’s commitment to building a closely knit and nurturing community runs through every barn that supports Olson’s, every rider that proudly wears the Olson’s Tack Shop logo, and through each individual who steps into the shop. 

 

In a world where quality and one-on-one connection are in short supply, Olson’s Tack Shop, under Mike’s watchful eye, remains. Carl, Bea, and Joyce’s legacy of providing for their community is alive and well, just off of I-405. For all who enter, Olson’s is a reminder that building customer relationships, upholding the highest standard of craftsmanship, and creating a deeply personal and special experience for their clients will always be in style. That’s no accident- It’s Mike!