The Name’s Cavender’s

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Cavender family: James R. Cavender & his sons, Joe, Mike, & Clay.

Here’s a name you don’t want to forget, Cavender’s. Cavender’s was founded in Pittsburg, Texas in 1965. James R. Cavender is the man behind it all. James and his wife, Pat Cavender were entrepreneurs and tried out several ventures before they opened their own clothing business. James served his customers a quality product at a fair price, he had immeasurable energy, a sharp wit, and found the perfect combination for his experiences, skills, and personality.

Cavender was a country boy living in a small country town in Texas, nothing was more natural than to carry cowboy boots in his shop. Cavender’s started with 3 styles of Tony Lama boots. Those 3 styles of boots sold well so James decided to bring on more styles. This was just the beginning of time for the Cavender’s business. Little did he know that their family business would become the fastest-growing western wear chain in America selling millions of pairs of boots.

Gary Leffew with Mike Luskey of Cavender’s in Fort Worth, Texas

In the 1970s, Cavender’s bought and resold a cattle trailer load of boots from a manufacturer going out of business. The 1980s came around and Cavender’s not only survived but thrived the high of the Urban Cowboy craze. At the time Cavender’s partnered with an up-and-coming Texas icon, George Strait. Cavender’s has built a strong foundation and has been thriving on its half-century plus commitment and loyalty to their customers. They make sure they provide the best quality products at an affordable price while giving the best customer service experience.

Cavender’s Super Fan & PBR Bull Rider, Daylon Swearingen

Cavender’s has been named the nation’s top retailer for some reputable companies such as Justin, Tony Lama, Laredo, Nocona, Rocky Mountain, Wrangler, and Lucchese. In 2019, Cavender’s was initiated into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame.

Family means everything to Cavender’s, if you walk into any Cavender’s store you’ll find photos of James R. Cavender, his wife Pat, and their three sons, Joe, Mike, and Clay. You’ll also find old photos of their grandparents on their old ranches in Idabel, Oklahoma, and Albany, Texas.

Huge Boot Selection of Cavender’s Stockyard Store

James R. Cavender worked tremendously hard and accomplished so much but he never got the chance to build his own boot the way he wanted it. To carry on the legacy of James R. Cavender, his family, Joe, Mike, and Clay Cavender built the cowboy boot to honor him. The boots are called JRC & Sons boots, the spirit of James R. Cavender will forever live in every pair. To say the least, they are simply one of a kind boots. Be sure to check out the new JRC & Sons boot line here.

The holidays are right around the corner and so is the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR)! Don’t worry Cavender’s has you covered with new styles if you’re looking for a last-minute NFR outfit, an outfit for the holidays, or even your holiday shopping! You can expect to find what you’re looking for and enjoy the Cavender experience.

Gary Leffew and Esperanza Martinez go on a shopping spree with Wrangler and YETI at Cavender’s in Fort Worth, Texas

Megan deFabry

Howdy, I'm Megan deFabry. I grew up in Reno, Nevada, but since 2017 my heart has called Texas home. I now reside in Austin, Texas since 2020. I'm driven by my faith, cherished relationships with family and friends, and my professional ambitions. I'm passionate about digital marketing and journalism, especially the wide-open spaces of America's Western lifestyle, the grit of agriculture, the excitement of rodeo, and the heart of country music. For nearly a decade, I've been sharing this way of life through storytelling. And like any good cowboy tale, there's a loyal sidekick, my little Dachshund, Frank, who I adopted from a shelter in New Braunfels, Texas, back in 2018. He keeps me grounded, reminding me to chase horizons and savor life's simple joys. I graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Consumer Affairs and a minor in Mass Communication. My major taught me to decode consumer behavior, which is crucial for marketing, while my minor sharpened my storytelling skills. Since then, I've spent years mastering SEO and content strategy, staying ahead in a fast-moving field. My work even caught the eye of Cowboy Lifestyle Network's CTO, Irish Padmore, who recognized me for contributing to his research on Consumer Behavior in the Age of AI. Since 2018, I've been honored to work at Cowboy Lifestyle Network. Now as Editor-in-Chief writing, editing, and publishing articles that capture the cowboy spirit, crafting strategies rooted in Western values, and building real client connections. Guided by ethical journalism, I aim to tell stories that resonate and reflect the unsung heroes of the Western spirit.