A Big Year for a Waynesville Small Business
As we step into 2026, we wanted to pause and reflect on what 2025 meant for Axe and Awl Leatherworks, Waynesville, NC. Rooted in Waynesville, North Carolina, and operating out of our homes on Depot Street, and the Cougar Workshop this past year marked a period of real momentum — and meaningful change — for our business and brand.
Located in the heart of Downtown Waynesville, our shop has always been shaped by the people and place around us. In 2025, that connection to Haywood County became even more important as the business continued to grow.
Growth That Tested Our Systems
As more people discovered Axe and Awl — both locally and beyond Western North Carolina — our internal processes were put to the test. Increased demand exposed gaps in communication, inventory tracking, and production flow. Lead times stretched, and systems that once worked seamlessly needed to evolve.
These challenges weren’t failures — they were proof that the business had outgrown earlier frameworks. They showed us exactly where we needed to focus next in order to protect quality and consistency as we scale.
Expanding the Experience: The Launch of Bevel Bar
One of the most defining moments of 2025 was the launch of Bevel Bar, our private cocktail lounge built out and opened in the back of the Axe and Awl retail store on Depot Street.
Designed with an intimate, classic feel, Bevel Bar reflects the same values that guide our leatherwork — intention, hospitality, and attention to detail. The lounge quickly became a natural extension of the Axe and Awl experience, adding a new layer of connection and craft within our existing space.
Recognition Beyond Our Walls
In 2025, Axe and Awl was honored to be featured in several respected publications that highlighted our work, our space, and our role within the Waynesville community.
One standout feature was in Garden & Gun, which published an in-depth piece titled
“How Axe & Awl Leatherworks Became an Anchor of Waynesville, North Carolina.”
The article explored our origins, our commitment to craftsmanship, and how the shop has become part of the cultural fabric of the town.
We were also featured on the Ingles Open Road Show, a lifestyle and travel platform that highlighted Axe and Awl as a destination — showcasing the workshop, retail space, and the experience we’ve built on Depot Street.
Alongside these features, we were included in various travel/tourism stories for Haywood County, and we participated in meaningful collaborations with like-minded brands and creatives throughout the year.
Learning Beyond the Workshop
Growth in 2025 wasn’t limited to what happened inside the shop. Spencer graduated from the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses (10KSB) program as part of the first cohort in North Carolina, alongside 35 other high-performing businesses from across the state.
The program reinforced lessons we were already learning firsthand — the importance of scalable systems, financial clarity, and intentional growth — while also challenging us to think more strategically about the future of Axe and Awl.
Thank You for Being Part of It
None of this happens in isolation. From customers who support our handcrafted leather goods, to collaborators, neighbors, and visitors passing through Waynesville — thank you.
The lessons of 2025 are shaping everything we’re building next.
Coming up next: how those lessons are guiding our focus and priorities for 2026.
Leave a Reply