Gass Horse Supply & Western Wear

GASS HORSE SUPPLY | ORONO, MAINE - This is the tack shop that my grand father, Barney Gass, opened in 1911 on Route 2 in Orono and operated until just before his passing in 1957. My Dad, John Gass, took over and expanded the business in the early 1950's and ran it for nearly 50 years selling draft & saddle horses, ponies, pulling & driving harnesses, saddlery and related tack. Through the years Dad built a solid business reputation and goodwill with people near and far. His customers included: the large paper mills of the north country; farmers needing supplies for their draft horses; saddle horse owners preparing for the show, and; countless individuals with their "backyard" horses and ponies.

Dad passed away in early 2002 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. His passing and the tack shop's closure was a shock to many people as both he and the store had become an icon in the area and well known to many throughout the region. From the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdale Hamlet in New Hampshire, to the St John Valley in Northern Maine, the Canadian Maritime, and all points in between, many people saw the simple way that Dad ran his store to not only be a pleasant respite from our fast paced daily life, but indeed as a man (and his store) that hailed back to a simpler, less stressful, time. John Gass was a laid back no-frills man with an uncanny way of remembering the names of customers, the cars and trucks that they drove, what town they lived in, how many horses they had, and how their great Aunt Edna was feeling. His approach with people was always honest, genuine and sincere. His knowledge of horses, their care, and his inventory in the store was always very impressive as well.

As the BDN stated during an April/1989 interview, (John was a) "walking encyclopedia of information" regarding equine supplies, related equipment, as well as methods and approaches to caring for horses.

For me, the rebirth of Gass Horse Supply had been a multi-year dream that finally came to fruition after a lot of dreaming, planning and hard work. To breathe life back into this family owned and operated business that had become so well known and respected was a challenge that was daunting for sure, but also one that I was finally ready to undertake. To be sure, the grand reopening of GHS in 2009 would not have been possible without the kind and generous support and assistance of many friends and family members. Some of the many people who had/have encouraged me and given their time to support my dream include: Ken, Pam, Katherine & Ashley Danforth, Gerry & Rose Martin, Ashley Gallant, Mike, Ann & Brad Kenny, my cousin Randy Grossman, my wife Cathy Dionne-Gass, and my two sons Aaron and Benjamin Gass. However, a very special and heartfelt thanks goes to Sheila Griffin, who formally owned and operated Hoof'N IT Tack Shop in Bangor, for her many hours of hard work preparing for the re-opening and the painstaking effort she had put forth preserving the look, feel, character and charm of my Father's (and Grand Father's!) tack shop.

While we no longer sell horses, our store's longstanding tradition of providing top quality horse supplies, tack and related items at reasonable prices continues at Gass Horse Supply. NOW, we are Gass Horse Supply & Western Wear (GHS Western Wear) as our large inventory of Western Clothing and especially cowboy boots occupies a huge portion of our sales floor.

On behalf of my Family and Staff, we look forward to having you (re)discover our laid back, no frills, shopping environment for English, Western, Equine Tack, Supplies and, of course, quality Western Wear.

GHS is conveniently located near Interstate 95 at Exit 191. Just six miles north of the Bangor Mall and five miles south of the UMaine campus.

~ Barry Gass, 3rd Generation Owner

Gass Horse Supply & Western Wear | 476 Main Street ( Route 2) | Orono, Maine |