OP ZOS OM
MULE BARN BOUTIQUE
SHOP BRAZOS .COM
Mall in College Station. The store opened on Nov. 4.
Thursday, December 20, 2012____________shopbrazos.com____________The Eagle
no one else had,” Gilmore said. “So we carved out a little niche with boots.” The business creates boots for groups such as the Texas Hereford Association and Texas Rangers, and has also had them made for weddings and barbecue cook-off teams, she said. Boots made for wedding parties often include the names of the groom and bride, followed by the word “established” and the wedding date. Gilmore said she used to not wear boots because they were uncomfortable, but boots have changed in the past 10 to 15 years. They’re more comfortable, and they’re not just for cowboys, said Gilmore, who has been wearing boots the past few years. “They fit and feel like a tennis shoe,” she said. “They’re made not only to look nice, but but after about a year, worked Back in the retail business, and pitches in and works wher- to feel nice, too.” out all the details. Gilmore said she has hired a ever they are needed,” she said. Besides boots made by the “It’s just been a blessing team of Mule Barn Boutique three Mercedes companies, ever since,” Gilmore said. “The employees who truly care Creating a unique boutique the store also carries several store’s just taken off.” about people and making Gilmore said after she was popular brands, such as Ariat, It’s not the first time customers happy, including hired as manager in 2007, she Corral, Justin, Tony Lama Gilmore has owned a boutique. getting the right fit for their started finding a more exciting and Lucchese. The Mule Barn In the 1980s and 1990s, she boots. Employees include her range of merchandise to add to Boutique also carries Gypsy owned Nancy’s Unique Boudaughter, Lindsey Hendricks, the store. She noticed that most Soul jewelry and flip flops, tique, opening a store first in who serves as manager and her stores offered the same selecother brands of jewelry, men’s Madisonville and then a store mother, Wanda Johnson. tions of boots, which she didn’t and women’s clothing, hats and in the Post Oak Mall. “Everyone works as a team like. decorations such as crosses. “I really wanted something to make Upcoming event us special,” she In April, the Mule Barn said. Boutique will hold a trunk So she looked show at its Madisonville locainto getting some tion, and possibly in its College special boots, and Station store, too, Gilmore said. found what she The show lasts about four days, was looking for during which customers can with boots made by design their own boots, picking three boot compaout everything from the toe to nies in Mercedes: the heel – including stitch patAnderson Bean terns and leathers. In a large Boot Company, room will be trunks brimming Rios of Mercedes over with several thousands of and Olathe Boot samples of leathers, including Company. Mule hippo, elephant, zebra, bison, Barn Boutique ostrich, shark and capybara. started creating designs used by the For more information on the three boot compaMule Barn Boutique and the nies to make custrunk show, call the Madisontom boots for the ville store at 936-348-2869 or the store to sell. College Station store at 979-6946505, or visit them online at Owner Nancy Gilmore poses at The Mule Barn Boutique in the Post Oak “We started designing ones that www.mulebarnonline.com.
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