After more than 186 years the Rich family is no longer majority shareholder of the iconic American clothing brand, Woolrich. Globalization and weak domestic financial fundamentals, has changed the Pennsylvania born first American outdoor clothing manufacturer into an international consortium of Italian, Japanese and Luxembourgesee financiers, with only a small fraction retainer by the original founders. But, that doesn't have to mean that the historic design and value proposition is no longer relevant. It certainly is. Established in 1830 in Plum Run, Carbon County, north central PA, their well known red and black pattern fabrics were worn by generations of outdoorsmen and women, who appreciated hunting, fishing, hiking and snow sports. By the late 20th Century they had honed their craft into household goods like beautiful blankets, and personal dress like flannel shirts and wool sweaters, in addition to Artic Parkas made with technological fabrics and eco sustainable materials. That is where I came in. With family in Westmoreland County southeast of Pittsburgh, the small mountain town of Mount Pleasant saw its heyday during the era of King Coal. Now a shadow of its former self, one of the surviving retail establishments on Main Street is Saloom's, a store dedicated to the outdoor life. Boots, knives, ammunition, fishing gear and a back room floor to ceiling with autumn and winter wear, most with the Woolrich label, has been attracting me to buy my flannels and woolies there for decades. A large part of my wardrobe was lovingly scouted and secured right where local mountain folk had been dressing themselves for generations. All that, and 10% discount just because our families go way back. My Bucks friends don't know about this aspect of my life, but they wouldn't recognize me when I'm in the woods with the cousins and bro-los in my Woolrich garb with a long gun slung over my shoulder looking for antler points or chasing bear away from the mountain lodge. So, very sorry that the Rich family had to unload their holdings to survive and become more financially liquid. But, from where I sit, their clothing is as good as it ever was, even if some of it now speaks with European tongues. read more