EARLY SPRING 2014
Western & English Today
35
Retailers, call for a
free catalog
Tel: 888-444-2668
www.smokyboots.com
Anderson Bean Boots, Macie Bean
(956) 565-2618; andersonbean.com
Cinch Boots
(817) 599-5200; cinchjeans.com
Corral Boots
(866) 426-0001; corralboots.com
Dan Post Boots, Dingo
(931) 645-4466; danpostboots.com
Durango Boot
(866) 442-4908; durangoboot.com
Ferrini USA, Inc.
(972) 478-7878; ferriniusa.com
Gameday Boots
(512) 693-4263; gamedayboots.com
JAMA Corporation/Old West
(877) 543-2668; jamaoldwest.com
Justin Boot Company
(866) 240-8853; justinboots.com
Olathe Boot Company
(956) 565-2618; olatheboots.com
Rocky Brands, Georgia Boot
(740) 753-1951; rockyboots.com
Roper Apparel and Footwear
(303) 893-2320; eroper.com
Smoky Mountain Boots
(888) 444-2668; smokyboots.com
Tin Haul
(303) 893-2320; tinhaul.com
Twisted X Boots
(888) 894-2668; twistedxboots.com
"You want your independence," T orp
says. "It seems like the little girls have
minds of their own quicker than the boys
do."
T at's why Corral Boots brought out a
youth line in addition to its kids line.
"Exactly," Corral owner Othell Welch
says. "And our kids and youth lines are
just going through the roof."
It also explains the success of Tin
Haul's line of usually fun boots with
themed graphics not only on the boot
tops and feet, but on the soles as well.
"For this brand, the demographic goes
13 to 21, and that's def nitely marked way
to the lef of scale," says Ginger Wallace-
Myers of Tin Haul, where guys boots start
at size 5 and girls at 3.
In other words, for the 8-, 9-
and 10-year-olds. "T ey're super-
impressionable and very easy to approach.
And unlike when they get into junior high
or high school, there's no peer pressure.
T eir friends aren't saying, 'Careful, that's
not cool.'"
And Tin Haul's price point, from $200
and up, isn't turning of customers.
"What's nice about kids is that their
feet grow and grow," Durango's Vanwy
says. "If we can get them in (boots) and
get them early, that's great."
Which is what Hippel was telling
folks more than a decade ago. Kids boots
can be prof table. In fact, they must
be prof table for future generations of
Western bootmakers and retailers.
"Get them in early," Hippel says, "and
when they get out of kids sizes, some will
naturally want adult boots. T at's what
you want."
"It's creating a lifestyle,"
Corral's Welch says.
"Create the lifestyle and
live the lifestyle and the
kids will follow."
With a 12-year-old
son, Johnny D. Boggs
is getting a continuing
education on keeping
growing boys in
Western boots.
GAMEDAY GIRLS
GAMEDAY BOYS
FERRINI GIRLS
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