What happened to PQ?
In the hot summer of 2010, I dove headlong into a passion project with a modest $1100 in pocket change. This was when Pad & Quill, a brand synonym of luxury and craftsmanship, was born; its first website was built with equal parts ambition and the sweat from painting a web designer's deck. The vision? To celebrate artisans and pursue beauty in everything we create. Our offerings of fine leather goods found favor among a thriving community of hundreds of thousands of customers, far exceeding my initial imaginings over the following nine years.
However, as with all life's most incredible journeys, the road took an unexpected sharp turn in 2019. A daunting personal and financial storm swept through my life, casting unwelcome shadows over my ability to steer Pad & Quill--both from the helm of designing and managing finances—— a crisis exacerbated by the advent of the global pandemic in 2020. Tragically, like a ship swallowed whole by an unforgiving sea, Pad & Quill succumbed. Despite fighting the tide for four long years, in the bleak winter of 2023, Pad & Quill was claimed by bankruptcy, its voyage meeting a heartbreaking end.
Yet, from the ruins, springs a blossom of hope, and that is Burton Goods. The hardships of the past four years couldn't smother my love for designing and crafting leather goods or for you, the patrons who bring purpose to my passion.
Explore the full Burton Goods collection — iPad cases, iPhone cases, and leather bags.
I must, however, address the elephant in the room: the warranties previously given under Pad & Quill. While my current financial state disallows the ability of honoring them, your concerns are not dismissed. Please feel encouraged to reach out to hi@burtongoods.com. Wherever a solution can be offered, we will try.
Finally, I must tilt my hat to each and every Pad & Quill customer over the past 14 years. Your patronage, your unswerving support for a small Minnesota family business, your dedication to the artisans behind the wonders you welcomed into your homes – you have my deepest, heartfelt gratitude.
If you want to know where things went from here, I wrote about our first year as Burton Goods in Over One Year In.
With renewed spirit,
Brian Holmes
37 comments
Hi Brian — love your products. Have you ever considered doing a leather case for the Remarkable Paper Pro? The leather case that Remarkable sells for its Paper Pro wears very poorly, and I know you would produce something far better.
The best of the best. My Pad & Quill Uptown Leather Wallet-Chocolate Brown. Incredible well made. Still like the first day but with all its history.
Really appreciate your work and I would love to see It again made by Burton Goods to give It like a present. Imposible to find other like this.
Thank you very much Brian
Will there be an iPad mini case?
I’m in need of a leather case for my I-pad. My friends at Saddleback recommended you, using hi-praise (if I may add). My question – are the dimensions we’ll need taken diagonally or square? Are they taken from “out to out” of the entire case, or just the screen? Thanks for taking the time – WMainguy
I bought the little pocket book for my iPhone 5 and then again for the iPhone 6 Plus I was so impressed with the build quality and craftsmanship on these cases. I always got asked about my case when I would be out in public they were beautiful. I’m glad to see the spirit of PQ living under a different name and just ordered the MagSafe wallet stand for now. I still have a iPhone 15 Pro Max but to for long and once I get my iPhone whatever it is in a year or so I will get the Luxury pocket book for that phone. Truly beautiful products you all put out. <3