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Our Story

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 "This is How We Live".


OUR HISTORY

  • The image shows a nostalgic painting of a Dairy Hart, a quaint vintage-style diner from 1957. The building features a classic mid-century design with a prominent, slightly angled roof and a wide front that includes large windows and a central entrance. The signage above reads "Dairy ♥ Hart" in bold, red letters with a heart symbol, capturing a charming, retro feel. A large tree looms over the building, adding a touch of nature to the scene, depicted under an overcast sky that enhances the moody, historical ambiance of the painting.

    1957

    James R. Cavender opened a burger joint in Pittsburg, Texas called Dairy Hart.

  • The image features a vintage photo of Cavender's Boot City delivery truck, capturing a classic piece of Americana. The truck, likely from the late 20th century, is painted white with large, eye-catching graphics that include a stylized image of a cowboy boot and the words "Cavender's Boot City" with a small Tony Lama logo along the side. The Cavender's logo, prominently displayed on the truck, uses a bold, Western-style font, adding to its thematic appeal. The background is a clear, expansive sky, suggesting the truck is situated in a spacious, possibly rural area. This nostalgic image highlights Cavender's long-standing presence in the Western apparel market.

    1965

    After eight years in food service, James expanded his business interests into retail. He opened a western wear store with just three styles of Tony Lama boots.

  • The image is a stylized map of Texas highlighting the city of Tyler in red. Tyler is in the eastern part of the state and is marked with a black dot, indicating its precise location. The background of the map is a muted blue, providing a clear contrast that emphasizes Tyler's area. This simple yet effective graphic is useful for pinpointing Tyler's geographical setting within Texas.

    1977

    James bought 7,500 boots from the liquidating Hyer Boot Company in Olathe, Kansas. The Tyler, Texas store was opened to accommodate the inventory.

  • The image depicts a vintage photograph of Cavender's Boot City store, characterized by its rustic stone facade and a large, prominent red sign above featuring the store’s name. The parking lot in front is filled with cars from the 1980s, indicating the era. A sign stating "Open Sunday" is visible on the right, suggesting the store's flexible hours. This nostalgic scene captures a slice of American retail history, emphasizing the long-standing appeal of Cavender’s in the community.

    1986

    Cavender's has 12 locations throughout North and East Texas.

  • Vintage photograph from a meet and greet event at Cavender’s store in Hurst, Texas, featuring four adult men and three children. The men, identified as Joe, Mike, and James Cavender, are wearing cowboy hats and casual shirts. They stand smiling beside country music artist George Strait. In front of them are three young girls, dressed in patterned tops and jeans, appearing slightly shy. The setting includes a background with promotional materials and other store elements.

    1987

    Joe, Mike and James Cavender at a meet & greet with George Strait at the Cavender’s Hurst, Texas store.

  • Close-up portrait of Joe Cavender, wearing a white cowboy hat and a denim shirt. He smiles warmly against a background of lush green trees. The image captures Joe’s friendly demeanor, highlighted by his bright smile and relaxed posture. Joe has taken over as president of the family company.

    1994

    James and Pat's eldest son Joe Cavender takes the reins as the president of the company.

  • Black and white photograph of the Cavender family celebrating the 30th anniversary of Cavender's Boot City in 1995. Five adults, three men and two women, stand behind a table displaying a cake shaped like the number "30" and cowboy boots, indicative of their business. They all wear cowboy hats and are smiling, positioned against a backdrop featuring stone and decorative Western gear. The setting is festive and reflects the company’s Western theme.

    1995

    The Cavender family celebrates the 30th anniversary of Cavender's Boot City, now up to 31 stores throughout Texas.

  • Cavender’s, highlighting their new online shopping platform. It features the Cavender’s logo in red with a black star, and the website address Cavenders.com is displayed below. The background is a textured white surface.

    2001

    Cavender’s now offers online shopping at Cavenders.com.

  • The image showcases the expansion of Cavender’s with a new store opening, reflecting the company’s growth in 2003. The storefront displays the distinctive Cavender’s branding, set against a Western-style architecture under a clear sky. The presence of the American flag symbolizes the store’s patriotic spirit. These visual complements the textual information that Cavender’s has increased its store count to 42, extending its reach beyond Texas into Arkansas and Oklahoma, and now employs around 800 people.

    2003

    Cavender's opens stores in Arkansas and Oklahoma, venturing outside of Texas. The store count is now up to 42 with approximately 800 employees.

  • The image captures a significant family moment for the Cavender’s in 2012, as they gather for a group photo at their Neches River Ranch. The family, dressed in western attire, is surrounded by the natural beauty of the ranch, with tall grasses and an expansive sky, symbolizing their connection to the land and their Texan heritage. This photo represents not just a family gathering but also the legacy and traditions of the Cavender family in Jacksonville, Texas.

    2012

    The Cavenders comes together for a family photo at their Neches River Ranch in Jacksonville, TX.

  • The image commemorates Cavender’s 50th anniversary in the western retail industry. It features a celebratory logo with golden "50th" numerals and 'Anniversary' on a ribbon scroll, framed by curved horns and western-style details. The logo’s metallic sheen and the color palette of gold, red, white, and black convey a sense of tradition and festivity. This visual symbolizes Cavender’s significant milestone of operating 70 stores across 8 states since 2015.

    2015

    Cavender's celebrates 50 years in the western retail business and now has 70 stores across 8 states.

  • The image presents Jacqueline Cavender’s cookbook "As the Spur Stirs," dedicated to Western family recipes and gatherings. The cover highlights the book’s contribution to the American Cancer Society and Cystic Fibrosis research, reflecting the author’s commitment to charitable causes. The image captures the essence of the book, blending culinary tradition with a spirit of giving back to the community in 2015.

    2015

    Jacqueline Cavender releases her new cookbook As the Spur Stirs, benefiting the American Cancer Society and Cystic Fibrosis research.

  • The image highlights two significant events for Cavender’s in 2015. The top logo represents the launch of the Rafter C brand, featuring a stylized red font and a bull’s head illustration, symbolizing the line of shirts designed by Clay Cavender. The second logo showcases the Cavender’s Boot Collection, a collaboration with Old Gringo Boots, depicted in a vintage-style brown label. The textured background adds to the rustic and authentic feel of the brands, marking a notable expansion in Cavender’s product offerings.

    2015

    The Rafter C brand launches with shirts designed by Clay Cavender. In the same year, Cavender's teams up with Old Gringo Boots and introduces the Cavender's Boot Collection.

  • The image displays the Cavender’s Stock Yards store, showcasing its partnership with Luskey’s/Ryon’s in 2016. The building’s western architectural style and “Now Open” banner reflect the store’s new beginning in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, symbolizing a blend of tradition and expansion for Cavender’s as an outfitter.

    2016

    Cavender’s partners with Luskey’s/ Ryon’s to become Cavender’s Stock Yards Outfitter in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards.

  • The image showcases Cavender’s Boot City storefront, symbolizing the company’s growth to 78 stores across 10 states by 2017. The prominent red and yellow signage reflects the brand’s identity, while the overcast sky and stone-accented facade convey the store’s enduring presence in the retail landscape. The image underscores Cavender’s expansion and its large team of over 1,800 associates.

    2017

    Cavender's now has 78 stores in 10 states with over 1,800 associates.

  • The image is a respectful tribute to James R. Cavender, founder of Cavender’s, who passed away in 2018. It depicts a serene outdoor setting, likely on a ranch, with a person symbolizing the late founder’s connection to the western lifestyle. The obscured face emphasizes the focus on his legacy rather than the individual, honoring his pioneering spirit and lasting impact on the company and its values.

    2018

    We mourn the loss of founder, James R. Cavender (March 22, 1931-May 29, 2018).

    He was a pioneer in the industry and a friend to us all. His work ethic has been engrained into the heart of Cavender’s as a company and as a family. We continue to honor his legacy.

  • The image captures a momentous occasion for the Cavender family in 2019, as they are honored with induction into both the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame. The obscured faces on stage signify the family’s collective achievement, while the presence of a podium and ceremonial sash and medallion highlight the prestige of the awards. This recognition underscores the Cavender family’s significant contributions to the cowboy and rodeo culture in Texas

    2019

    A year of recognition – the Cavender family receives two prestigious honors by being inducted into both the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame.

  • The image is a heartfelt tribute to Patricia "Pat" Cavender, co-founder of Cavender’s, who passed away in 2019. It portrays a person whose contributions to the family business and her artistic talents in store design and decoration were cherished. The blurred face focuses on her legacy of generosity, creativity, and dedication, leaving a lasting impact on the company and those around her.

    2019

    We mourn the loss of founder, Patricia “Pat” Cavender (August 5, 1932 – July 31, 2019).

    Pat Cavender was a loving and hard-working wife, mother and grandmother who always put others first. She traveled the country decorating the Cavender’s stores for many years. She was known for her giving nature, her art, her design and decorating ability, the delicious feasts she served, as well as her quick wit and wry sense of humor.

  • The image signifies a milestone for Cavender’s in 2020, as it marks the transition of three Horsetown stores to Cavender’s Horsetown in Georgia. The rustic wooden facade and stone pillars of the store, along with the welcoming sign, reflect the brand’s commitment to maintaining its western heritage while expanding its presence.

    2020

    The state of Georgia welcomes Cavender's as three Horsetown stores become Cavender's Horsetown.

  • The image depicts Cavender’s new office in Tyler, TX, showcasing a modern design that blends stone and wood elements. The prominent Cavender’s sign indicates its role as the company’s new hub. This opening, during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlights Cavender’s commitment to serving the community by providing essential work wear through its stores.

    2020

    Cavender's new office opens in Tyler, TX while stores remain open as providers of essential work wear during the COVID-19 pandemic.

  • The image introduces the "Rockin’ C" brand logo, representing Cavender’s 2021 launch of a new line of ladies’ wear. The logo features a turquoise stylized "C" with Western-inspired decorative elements, embodying the brand’s commitment to honoring Western heritage through timeless fashion pieces. The white textured background suggests a connection to the fabric and craftsmanship of the clothing line.

    2021

    Cavender's launches the Rockin' C brand of ladies' wear designed to honor our western heritage with timeless pieces.

  • The image signifies Cavender’s expansion in 2021 through the acquisition of PFI Western, a family-owned western wear retailer in Springfield, MO. The storefront, with its brick facade and green gabled roof, reflects the merging of traditional western style with modern retail, marking a new chapter for both brands.

    2021

    Cavender's expands with another family owned western wear retailer – PFI Western in Springfield, MO.

  • The image captures a significant moment in 2023, where the Cavender family is honored with the Texas Historical Foundation Star of Texas Award. The obscured faces focus on the family’s collective achievement rather than individual identities, and the formal attire suggests the solemnity of the occasion. The award, presented by Governor Greg Abbott, recognizes the family’s contributions to Texas history and heritage.

    2023

    The Cavender family receives the Texas Historical Foundation Star of Texas Award presented by Governor Greg Abbott.