Johnson Woolen Mills

Johnson Woolen Mills is an American clothing manufacturer based in Johnson, Vermont, known for durable wool and flannel garments, particularly hunting coats, hunting trousers, outerwear, and other cold-weather clothing. Its history reaches back to 1842, when local farmers brought their wool to a mill above the Gihon River operated by Andrew Dow. The original business was primarily a fabric producer: customers supplied wool that was processed and woven into cloth. Over time, the enterprise moved beyond textile processing and began manufacturing finished clothing, a transition that took place in the early twentieth century. The company passed through several ownership phases during its early development. Andrew Dow eventually partnered with, and then sold the business to, Isaac Pearl, under whose direction it operated as the I. L. Pearl Company. D. A. Barrows joined the company in 1905 and soon became its owner. The Barrows family retained control for three generations. Stacey Barrows Manosh acquired the business from her father in 1998, becoming the final Barrows-family owner described in the company’s published history. Under Manosh, Johnson Woolen Mills made a more deliberate effort to reach markets outside its traditional regional customer base. The company attended larger retailer conventions and pursued international wholesale opportunities. Japan became especially important, eventually accounting for approximately 30 percent of the company’s wholesale purchases, according to the cited account. This international interest complemented the brand’s longstanding appeal among customers seeking robust, practical garments associated with rural life, outdoor work, hunting, and severe winter conditions. Although the original mill closed in 1960, clothing production continued at the Johnson location. The brand’s identity is built around substantial fabrics, functional construction, and long service life rather than fast fashion. Its hunting apparel commonly uses heavy wool or wool-blend materials in colors such as red and green and incorporates multiple pockets for field use. The company also sells wool and flannel by the yard, preserving a connection to its earlier textile-manufacturing role. Its hunting trousers have been promoted with the phrase “Best Wearing Trousers in America,” reflecting the brand’s emphasis on durability and repeat wear. Gene Richards purchased the business in early 2023. The ownership structure following the transaction included Richards, his wife Julie, his two sons and their partners, and business associate Erin Desautels. Richards introduced operational changes including an inventory overhaul and website improvements, while also emphasizing local visibility and community engagement. Reported examples included decorating the storefront with Christmas lights and installing a deer-weighing station. In 2023, Johnson Woolen Mills also introduced the Northwoods X 1842 collection in collaboration with local hunting enthusiasts. The collection connected contemporary product development with the company’s founding date and outdoor heritage. The brand remains a small, place-based apparel business whose differentiation comes from Vermont production, wool expertise, practical outdoor design, and continuity with a long-running local manufacturing tradition.

Johnson Woolen Mills traces its origin to 1842 in Johnson, Vermont. Local farmers brought their own wool to a mill above the Gihon River operated by Andrew Dow, where it was woven into cloth. This arrangement made the early business a community-oriented textile operation rather than a conventional finished-garment label. The enterprise later expanded into clothing production, beginning to make its own garments in the early twentieth century. Dow eventually partnered with and then sold the operation to Isaac Pearl. Under Pearl, the business operated as the I. L. Pearl Company. D. A. Barrows joined in 1905 and soon became the owner. Ownership then remained with the Barrows family for three generations, giving the company a long period of family continuity. Stacey Barrows Manosh bought the business from her father in 1998 and became the last member of the Barrows family to own it. Manosh’s tenure included a stronger push toward national and international wholesale distribution. Johnson Woolen Mills attended larger retailer conventions and developed overseas business, with Japan eventually representing about 30 percent of wholesale purchases according to the available reference account. This expansion helped carry a distinctly Vermont product identity into markets beyond the company’s traditional customer base. The original textile mill closed in 1960, but the company continued making clothing on-site. Its later identity centered on heavy wool and flannel garments designed for hunting, outdoor labor, and harsh winters. Hunting coats and trousers, often produced in red and green fabrics and fitted with numerous pockets, became characteristic products. The company also retained a textile connection by selling wool and flannel by the yard. Its advertising language has stressed durability and extended use, including the claim that its hunting trousers are the “Best Wearing Trousers in America.” In early 2023, Gene Richards purchased Johnson Woolen Mills. The resulting ownership group included Richards, his wife Julie, his two sons and their partners, and business associate Erin Desautels. Richards pursued an inventory overhaul and website improvements. He also made changes intended to strengthen the company’s connection with the local community and storefront, including exterior Christmas lights and a deer-weighing station. The same year, the company developed the Northwoods X 1842 collection with local hunting enthusiasts. The collection connected new product development with the firm’s founding date and its established hunting and Northwoods associations. Johnson Woolen Mills therefore combines a nineteenth-century textile origin, twentieth-century family ownership, Vermont-based garment production, international wholesale activity, and a current focus on durable outdoor clothing.

• 2023

  Ownership changes and operations are updated

  [1]Johnson Woolen Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Gene Richards purchased the business and began changes involving inventory, the website, and local community presentation.

• 2023

  Northwoods X 1842 collection launches

  [1]Johnson Woolen Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Johnson Woolen Mills created a collection with local hunting enthusiasts that drew on the company’s outdoor heritage and founding year.

• 1998

  Stacey Barrows Manosh acquires the business

  [1]Johnson Woolen Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Stacey Barrows Manosh purchased Johnson Woolen Mills from her father and became the final Barrows-family owner.

• 1960

  Original mill closes

  [1]Johnson Woolen Millsen.wikipedia.org

  The physical textile mill ceased operation, while clothing production continued at the Johnson site.

• 1905

  D. A. Barrows joins and takes ownership

  [1]Johnson Woolen Millsen.wikipedia.org

  D. A. Barrows joined the company and soon became its owner, beginning the Barrows family’s long period of control.

• 1842

  Community wool mill begins in Johnson, Vermont

  [1]Johnson Woolen Millsen.wikipedia.org

  Andrew Dow operated a mill above the Gihon River where local farmers brought wool to be woven into cloth.

Durable, practical American-made wool and flannel clothing for hunting, outdoor work, and cold-weather use, with a strong Vermont heritage and emphasis on longevity.

• Hunting outerwear

  Wool hunting coats

  Heavy wool hunting coats are among Johnson Woolen Mills’ characteristic products. They are designed for cold-weather field use and are associated with practical details such as substantial fabric, outdoor-oriented colors including red and green, and multiple pockets. The garments represent the brand’s emphasis on durable construction and long-term wear rather than lightweight seasonal fashion.

• Hunting clothing

  Hunting trousers

  The company’s hunting pants and trousers use heavy fabrics and are positioned for outdoor activity, field work, and repeated use in cold conditions. Johnson Woolen Mills has promoted its hunting trousers with the phrase “Best Wearing Trousers in America,” reinforcing a product promise centered on ruggedness, comfort over time, and durability.

• Outerwear

  Wool and flannel outerwear

  Johnson Woolen Mills produces wool and flannel garments for winter wear, outdoor work, and everyday use. These products extend the company’s historical relationship with local wool processing and reflect its Vermont manufacturing identity. The line is oriented toward customers who value warm, sturdy fabrics and traditional construction.

• Textile fabric

  Wool and flannel by the yard

  The company sells wool and flannel fabric by the yard, maintaining a direct link to its original role as a textile producer. These materials serve customers who want to make or repair garments and other cold-weather goods, while also reinforcing Johnson Woolen Mills’ identity as a fabric and apparel specialist rather than only a finished-clothing label.

• Hunting and outdoor collection · 2023

  Northwoods X 1842

  Introduced in 2023, Northwoods X 1842 was developed with local hunting enthusiasts. The collection connects contemporary product development with the company’s founding date and its Northwoods-oriented outdoor identity. It represents an effort to refresh the brand’s product offer while retaining its focus on hunting, local knowledge, and durable cold-weather apparel.

• 2023

  Gene Richards acquires Johnson Woolen MillsM&A

  Background

  The company changed ownership after the long Barrows-family era and Stacey Barrows Manosh’s tenure.

  Action taken

  Gene Richards purchased the business through an ownership structure involving his wife, his two sons and their partners, and business associate Erin Desautels.

  Aftermath

  The new ownership undertook inventory and website overhauls and introduced local community-oriented changes at the store.

  Source

• 2023

  Launch of the Northwoods X 1842 collectionProduct launch

  Background

  The company sought to connect new merchandise with its long history and established hunting customer base.

  Action taken

  Johnson Woolen Mills developed the Northwoods X 1842 collection in partnership with local hunting enthusiasts.

  Aftermath

  The collection strengthened the connection between the current product range, local outdoor culture, and the company’s 1842 origin.

  Source

• 1998

  Expand wholesale reach under Stacey Barrows ManoshStrategy

  Background

  After acquiring the business from her father, Stacey Barrows Manosh led a period in which Johnson Woolen Mills more actively pursued larger retailers and international wholesale markets.

  Action taken

  The company attended larger retailer conventions and courted overseas buyers. Japan subsequently became an important wholesale market.

  Aftermath

  Japan eventually represented approximately 30 percent of wholesale purchases, according to the available reference account.

  Source

1. 1Johnson Woolen Millsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Johnson Woolen Mills official websitejohnsonwoolenmills.com