Celebrating the Western life at Cavender’s | News

Cavender’s Boot City brought Wranglers, Stetsons and Ariat boots to the area on Aug. 1.

Tucked in the back of the Tucson Spectrum shopping mall on Irvington, customers will find decorated and glittered cowboy boots alongside plain, lace-up work boots. 

The store is 12,000 square feet. 

“We strive for (great) customer service. Just that in itself is what makes Cavender’s Cavender’s,” district manager Lynne Haire said. “We like bringing our name out and getting to meet new people in a new market.” 

Although Cavender’s has more than 100 stores in Texas, this is its first in Tucson. 

Another will soon open on the other side of town on Oracle Road. The store features Western wear — from work clothes to dress clothes, with touches like pearl snaps and peaked yokes. 

Customers will find jeans, dresses, decorated T-shirts, dress and work shirts, Carhart overalls, dress coats and accessories to gussy up for the night, including boots.

“Wranglers, Cinch, Arriat: all those brands are in men’s, women’s and kids’ sizes,” Haire said. “Here we expect this market to be a real work boot- and work clothes-heavy market and so lots of work boots, lots of clothes, lots of different brands because all boots don’t fit the same.”

Upon entering, guests will see the women’s clothing and boot section, where a shopper will find plenty of T-shirts printed with Western-themed images, blouses, short dresses and the ubiquitous Wrangler jeans. Look a bit farther and there are shelves of boots. Some are white, some brown and some sparkle but all call for a closer look and even consideration.

Shoppers will also find shiny belts and fringed purses.

Farther down the main aisle find children’s jeans and footwear, including pink, rhinestone-studded girls’ boots.

It’s against the back wall, however, where people who do a lot of physical labor or riding might want to look. This is where shoppers will find the wide variety of boot styles on many shelves made up of multiple display racks. Some boots are for dressing up, others are for mucking stalls, and still others are for construction sites. The selection of styles is extensive. Although these are primarily for men, with sizes 7 to 12 and multiple widths, women might also find what they need here. Some of the brands represented include Tony Lama, Twisted X and Cavender’s.

In addition, the staff is trained to help get customers the right fit.

In the center of the store are men’s work shirts, which provide protection from the sun and are suitable when a man needs to look presentable at a job site. There are also blazers and casual shirts. 

Off to the left of the front door is the Cavender’s hat bar, where customers can find all levels of quality, from straw to beaver hats. 

Hats choose the wearer, and since not all heads are shaped the same, customers may receive a somewhat incomplete hat that can be custom shaped with steam. This process is done in-house and can be completed within about an hour. 

“We can make that hat center on the head and crease it according to what (the customer) wants and not try to take a pre-creased hat and try to change it because they never come out perfect,” Haire said. “But you take a blank (we call it an open crown, open brim) and do whatever you want.” 

Hats start at $340; the staff will also reshape hats even if they were not bought at Cavender’s.

There are also plenty of trucker hats and caps,

Cavender’s, however, strives for great customer service. 

“We want to be here for you and help you meet the needs that you want to have in your Western wear,” said Scott Weller, store manager. “We will help you fit boots, help you fit hats, help you fit clothes. We’re going to fit you right.”