About Us

Twin Cities Leather originally opened on December 8th, 2012. After a short stint in a basement shop in Loring Park, we relocated in the summer of 2013, adding a full service coffee shop to our service line. We have expanded in different directions over the years, and finally shifted our focus back to what we love most, Leather and our community. In late 2019, with the closure of our long time brick and mortar shop, cafe, and community space, Karri Plowman and Kurt Patton partnered together to bring Twin Cities Leather into the future. It was then that we were able to return to our roots, and our original creative drive for leather design, producing the unique, fully customized leather pieces we have become known for as time has passed. With new ownership, a new freedom, and continual commitment to our community, we continue to operate online as well as through several regular pop-up shops in Minneapolis, and vending as far as we can drive! 

Twin Cities Leather was developed using one simple, key principle that has remained consistent:
Community First!

 

Karri Plowman:  Yes,  it’s a real name!  After retiring as non-profit leader and professional lobbyist… he was the creative talent behind Leather & Latte.  He has been active in the leather/kink world for over 12 years in the Twin Cities, Minnesota- belonging to several local and regional clubs including Chicago Hell Fire Club,  co-founding the reformed Twin Cities Cavern Dwellers and the first Honorary Minneapolis T-Rexx member. He was the first person sainted by the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence Ladies of the Lakes as “Running with J-Lube” in recognition of his community work.  As a part of the Leather and Latte Team he helped them gain recognition as Lavender Magazine’s Small Business Community Award winner and Pantheon Small Business Award winner.  Karri was recognized for his individual contributions with Lavender Magazine Individual Community Award winner in 2019. Be it teaching classes, running pop up shops, or making really nice leather wear for our community, Karri is constantly contributing to the leather world. “I’m lucky everyday…I get to discuss, read, and think about leather and sex…how to make it fun, where we came from and where we are going. How we open and become a more inviting of a community while maintaining our rebellious nature.”

 

Kurt Patton is a leatherworker with a passion for designing gear for all genders that is inspired by alternative fashion, music, artwork and classic erotic imagery. He also brings to the table a decade of experience in small business. He has taken his experience, and combined it with his love for Leather and the community surrounding it. Prior to partnering with Karri Plowman to bring Twin Cities Leather into the future, he held the title of Mr Twin Cities Leather 2019. He serves his community through volunteer involvement in several local organizations, and strives to bring new ways of thinking to the table with deep respect to the history that brought us where we are today. He has a passion for erasing the stigma surrounding taboo sexuality, as well as spreading a philosophy of radical acceptance in the Leather community.