Cavender’s was founded in 1965, in the small east Texas town of Pittsburg. James and Pat Cavender were entrepreneurs who dabbled in several ventures before opening a clothing business. James had a sharp wit, boundless energy, and he found the perfect combination for his skills, personality and experiences serving customers a quality product at a fair price. As a country boy in a small Texas town, it was only natural to carry cowboy boots. Cavender’s started with 3 styles of Tony Lama boots. They sold well, and so James bought more. It was just the beginning for this family company that would go on to sell millions of pairs of boots and become the fastest growing Western wear chain in America.
Whether it was buying (and reselling, of course) a cattle trailer load of boots from a manufacturer going out of business in the 1970s, riding the high of the Urban Cowboy craze in the 1980s, surviving—and in fact thriving—in its decline, or partnering with another up-and-coming Texas icon, George Strait, Cavender’s has always had a knack for being in the right place at the right time. But more than that, Cavender’s has thrived based on its half-century plus commitment to the customer by providing the best products at affordable prices with excellent customer service.
As much as growth is a central part of Cavender’s, the people running it still acknowledge their roots in quality products and customer service. Step into any Cavender’s and not only will you see pictures of James, Pat, Joe, Mike, Clay, and their families, you’ll also see grainy black and whites of their grandparents on the old ranches in Albany, Texas and Idabel, Oklahoma.
Cavender’s has been named the nation’s top retailer for many prestigious companies such as Lucchese, Justin, Tony Lama, Laredo, Nocona, Rocky Mountain and Wrangler. In 2019, the Cavender Family was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.
Today, Cavender’s has established itself as the premier Western clothing store for the American South and Southwest. Cavender’s remains a family business, run by James and Pat’s sons, Joe, Mike and Clay, who oversee the growth, development and day-to-day operations. Boots are the roots for Cavender’s and the Cavender family wanted to share their love of the western lifestyle with others. Cavender’s continuously seeks the best in design, style and authentic western craftsmanship for our customers. At Cavender’s you can expect to find just what you’re looking for from friendly folks offering a helping hand because we know you “Don’t Just Wear It, Live It!”
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