State Line Tack

State Line Tack is an American retailer specializing in horse equipment, apparel, grooming products, stable supplies, and related equine goods. The business began in 1980 as a single store in Plaistow, New Hampshire, near the boundary between New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Its location influenced the name and helped establish the retailer as a regional destination for horse owners and riders. The original operation converted an old barn into a four-story tack store, using different levels for distinct merchandise categories. Saddles were sold on the fourth floor, while bridles, blankets, and grooming supplies occupied the third story. Clothing and riding boots were sold on the first floor, and clearance merchandise and stable supplies were placed in the basement. The store also operated a small kennel. The original store was notable for the breadth of its assortment. At the time, it was described as offering one of the largest selections of horse supplies available in one location in the United States. Its merchandise strategy also emphasized relatively accessible price points, positioning the retailer as a practical alternative to competitors carrying more expensive equestrian lines. This combination of assortment, price orientation, and destination-store presentation formed the basis of the brand's early identity. Within several years, State Line Tack expanded beyond physical retail into direct-mail catalog sales. This transition followed its purchase by Sporting Dog Specialties, a mail-order pet-supply company. The catalog model extended the brand's reach beyond the New Hampshire store and allowed customers to order equine products remotely, an important step in the retailer's development from a local store into a broader specialty-commerce business. In 1996, PetSmart, Inc. acquired Sporting Dog Specialties and its subsidiary State Line Tack. Following the acquisition, PetSmart developed more than 160 full-size equine departments inside its stores, each described as approximately 3,000 square feet. The Plaistow store was relocated to Salem, New Hampshire, where it expanded to more than 10,000 square feet. Under PetSmart, State Line Tack therefore combined a dedicated specialty location, catalog activity, and in-store equine departments within a larger pet-retail network. PetSmart later changed its approach. In 2007, it sold State Line Tack, including the brand name, inventory, customer lists, and other assets, to Pets United, which is now known as TABcom, LLC. PetSmart closed the State Line Tack stores and the fulfillment center in Brockport, New York as part of the transition. Under TABcom, the brand continued as an online retailer rather than as the former chain of physical equine departments. Its current identity is consequently rooted in specialty e-commerce for riders, horse owners, and stable operators, while retaining the broad product orientation established by its original store and catalog business.

State Line Tack was established in 1980 in Plaistow, New Hampshire, close to the New Hampshire–Massachusetts state line from which its name was derived. Its first location was created by converting an old barn into a four-story specialty retail facility. The store organized its merchandise vertically: saddles were placed on the fourth floor; bridles, blankets, and grooming products on the third; clothing and boots on the first; and clearance goods and stable supplies in the basement. The business also maintained a small kennel. The store developed a reputation for carrying an unusually broad range of horse supplies in one location. Its assortment was described as among the largest available nationally at the time, while its merchandise mix generally favored more reasonably priced lines than many competing equestrian retailers. This combination gave State Line Tack a distinctive role as a large, accessible destination for horse owners and riders. A few years after its launch, the business expanded into direct-mail catalog retailing. This development followed its acquisition by Sporting Dog Specialties, a mail-order pet-supply company. Catalog distribution allowed State Line Tack to serve customers beyond southern New Hampshire and transformed it from a local store into a wider specialty-retail operation. PetSmart, Inc. acquired Sporting Dog Specialties and State Line Tack in 1996. The transaction was valued at $45 million, paid primarily in PetSmart stock according to the available account. PetSmart used the acquisition to add equine retailing to its broader store network, opening more than 160 full-size equine departments inside PetSmart locations. The original dedicated store was moved from Plaistow to Salem, New Hampshire, and expanded to more than 10,000 square feet. The PetSmart period ended in 2007, when PetSmart sold State Line Tack to Pets United, an entity later known as TABcom, LLC. The sale included the brand name, inventory, customer lists, and other assets. PetSmart closed the State Line Tack stores and the fulfillment center in Brockport, New York. Under TABcom, the brand continued as an online retailer. The transition marked a major change in operating model: State Line Tack moved from a network combining a large specialty store, catalogs, and in-store PetSmart departments to an online-focused equine-supply business. Its historical emphasis on assortment, tack, horse care, rider apparel, and stable supplies remains central to the brand's documented identity.

• 2007

  Sale to Pets United

  [1]State Line Tacken.wikipedia.org

  PetSmart sells the State Line Tack brand and related assets to Pets United, now known as TABcom, LLC.

• 2007

  Transition to online retail

  [1]State Line Tacken.wikipedia.org

  Following the sale, PetSmart closes the State Line Tack stores and Brockport fulfillment center; the brand continues under TABcom as an online retailer.

• 1996

  Acquisition by PetSmart

  [1]State Line Tacken.wikipedia.org

  PetSmart acquires Sporting Dog Specialties and State Line Tack for a reported $45 million, mostly in PetSmart stock.

• 1996

  Expansion into PetSmart stores

  [1]State Line Tacken.wikipedia.org

  PetSmart opens more than 160 full-size equine departments within its stores, while the dedicated New Hampshire location moves to Salem and expands to more than 10,000 square feet.

• 1980

  First State Line Tack store opens in Plaistow

  [1]State Line Tacken.wikipedia.org

  State Line Tack begins operations from a converted barn in Plaistow, New Hampshire, near the New Hampshire–Massachusetts state line.

• Direct-mail catalog expansion

  [1]State Line Tacken.wikipedia.org

  After being purchased by Sporting Dog Specialties, State Line Tack expands from a local store into direct-mail catalog retailing.

A broad-assortment equine retailer with a practical, value-oriented position, serving horse owners, riders, and stable operators through online specialty commerce.

• Equestrian equipment · 1980

  Horse tack and saddles

  Tack is the brand's core merchandise area and historically included saddles and related riding equipment. In the original four-story store, saddles were displayed on the highest retail floor, reflecting the importance of dedicated equestrian equipment to the business.

• Horse care and equipment · 1980

  Bridles, blankets, and grooming supplies

  State Line Tack's documented assortment included bridles, horse blankets, and grooming supplies. These products support routine horse care as well as riding preparation and were part of the broad inventory that distinguished the original store.

• Equestrian apparel · 1980

  Riding clothing and boots

  The retailer has offered clothing and boots for riders. This category extends the brand beyond horse equipment into apparel and footwear used for riding and stable activities.

• Barn and stable supplies · 1980

  Stable supplies

  Stable supplies formed part of the original store's basement assortment and remain within the brand's documented equine-retail scope. The category serves barn operators and horse owners managing day-to-day stable needs.

• 2007

  Sale from PetSmart to Pets UnitedM&A

  Background

  PetSmart had operated State Line Tack through stores, in-store equine departments, and related fulfillment infrastructure.

  Action taken

  PetSmart sold the brand name, inventory, customer lists, and other assets to Pets United, now known as TABcom, LLC.

  Aftermath

  PetSmart closed the State Line Tack stores and the Brockport fulfillment center. Under TABcom, the brand continued as an online retailer.

  Source

• 1996

  PetSmart acquisitionM&A

  Background

  State Line Tack had expanded from a physical specialty store into direct-mail catalog retailing after its acquisition by Sporting Dog Specialties.

  Action taken

  PetSmart acquired Sporting Dog Specialties and State Line Tack for a reported $45 million, paid mostly in PetSmart stock.

  Aftermath

  PetSmart added more than 160 equine departments within its stores and relocated the dedicated New Hampshire store from Plaistow to Salem.

  Acquisition value. $45 million (1996)

  Source

1. 1State Line Tacken.wikipedia.org