Gun holster maker to wake up factory outlet ghost town

POST FALLS — There's new life at the factory outlet ghost town.

Tedder Industries, which has manufactured concealed gun holsters in two buildings Hayden and one in Coeur d'Alene since 2013, announced Friday that it will move into the North Idaho Outlet Mall site to consolidate its operations.

The move comes after activity at the outlets has been stagnant — almost nonexistent — for more than a decade.

Thomas Tedder, CEO of the company, said he was attracted to the truck-accessibility and size of the complex along Interstate 90.

"I also saw it as an opportunity to do something good and nice for the community," he said after a press conference at Post Falls City Hall on Friday. "It's my personal mission to make this area an appealing and attractive location to prospective businesses."

The factory outlets complex runs on both sides of Riverbend Avenue on the south side of the freeway. The company will occupy the 70,000-square-foot building on the south side of Riverbend and lease out the 110,000-square-foot north building to businesses.

The third outlet building in that area — the curved structure just to the east of the other two — was not a part of the purchase.

Tedder said both of the buildings Tedder Properties LLC now owns will be renovated. He hopes his firm will occupy the south building this summer.

Tedder said he didn't have an estimate on what will be spent on the renovations, but he said it would be in the "millions."

The two tenants — Oriental Gifts and Food and the L'eggs Hanes Bali lingerie store — will remain in the north building.

"I'm not kicking anybody out," he said. "It's going to take time to renovate and lease a property of this size, but I will be taking a different tack than the previous owners. Going forward, the property will be managed on location with a customer-oriented approach. The businesses will not be outlets."

Tedder said his company will likely open a retail store in the north building because it gets a lot of purchase inquiries at its manufacturing sites. The company sells holsters under the Old Faithful and Alien Gear names online for $30 to $36 each.

Tedder said Tedder Properties already has had interest from others about leasing a portion of the north building.

Tedder Industries currently employs 300 — the highest number it has ever had. However, the numbers fluctuate based on how busy the season is. Two years ago, the company had 75 employees.

While there's no immediate plans to expand the workforce, it will in the future if the company's history is any indication, Tedder said.

Tedder said the company produces "several hundred" holsters per day. He declined to be more specific on the number, citing proprietary information. He estimates that it takes less than 10 minutes to manufacture each holster.

"Inexpensive, but not cheap," he said. "We sell a great product at an amazing price."

Tedder, 37, started his company six years ago in Fort Smith, Ark.

"I started in the kitchen before my wife (co-owner Alicia) kicked me out," he said.

Tedder, who lives in Post Falls, purchased the outlet site from a group of investors from California. He did not disclose the purchase price.

The company also purchased a site near Kimball Office before it decided on the outlets. He said he's uncertain about the future of the other property. Tedder said he's in talks with the city about funding government incentives surrounding the move, but declined to elaborate.

Local officials say they are enthused about Tedder's move.

Patty Shea, board chairwoman for Jobs Plus, called the decision a win-win.

"Tedder is not only creating quality jobs for our citizens, but making major improvements to the city of Post Falls and the region," Shea said.

Post Falls Mayor Ron Jacobson said the property near I-90 and the Spokane area is an ideal location.

"Tedder Industries is an example of a company that started small with an excellent idea for a great product and has seen impressive growth," he said. "They are continuing to grow and bring jobs to our area and I see a great future for them in Post Falls."

Chamber of commerce CEO Pam Houser called the announcement "huge."

"It's one of the biggest things that have happened in Post Falls in the past 10 years," she said. "Empty buildings say that we are not open for business, but we are open for business. This is a great message for future growth."