A Western-wear chain called Baskins is renovating space in the shopping center at New Road and Franklin Avenue, hoping to open a store there by early November.

Texas-based Baskins has taken about 15,000 square feet between Academy Sports & Outdoors and Gold’s Gym in the former Kmart building that Levcor Inc. of Houston now owns.

A building permit issued by the city estimates the cost of the remodeling at $550,000.

Baskins calls itself “the official Western store of Texas” in its Internet advertising, and it does sell boots, jeans, belts and buckles. But it also sells casual wear, home decor, fire-retardant clothing and jewelry.

Construction is under way in the space between Academy Sports & Outdoors and Gold’s Gym on New Road. A Baskins Western Wear store is set to move in there.
Duane A. Laverty / Tribune-Herald

“The majority of their clothing and footwear is Western, but quite a bit is non-Western. You can buy Polo shirts, Top-Siders, ball caps and really cool T-shirts,” said John Nohe, who provides publicity for Baskins.

The company’s website says it also sells knives, guitar picks, cell phone cases, gloves, wallets and purses. The variety and breadth of merchandise varies with the size of the store, Nohe said, adding that Baskins primarily locates in small to midsize markets. The 19th Baskins store is opening in Waco, and the 20th will go up in Corpus Christi.

“Waco actually will be one of our larger markets,” Nohe said, adding that the store could open in late October if work crews encounter no snags. He said the typical Baskins store employs 15, sometimes more counting part-time staffers.

Alan Ritchie, owner of Ritchie’s Western Wear, said he does not think Baskins will hurt his business and might even help it. He said business growth attracts customers to a community.

“Academy even sells some Western goods, but I don’t think the market has been saturated yet,” Ritchie said. “Our sales have actually increased in recent months, and I’m optimistic about the future.”

Ritchie, who has sold Western wear for 32 years, said Waco customers “go back and forth between various places,” but he thinks he has enough of a following to keep Ritchie’s in business.

Cliff Emmons, owner of Army-Navy Surplus, sells Western boots and jeans.

“Sure, I’ve heard of Baskins, but I think they have a different customer than I do,” Emmons said. “My customer wants to save money. I carry the same merchandise as the other places but at discounted prices.”

Cavender’s manager Amy Johnson said she would have no comment on the arrival of Baskins.

Dan Smith, who is marketing space in the shopping center where Baskins is locating, said about 35,000 square feet remain available between Academy Sports & Outdoors and Gold’s Gym.

“We have several prospects, none of which I can talk about right now,” Smith said.

Like Baskins, he said, those interested would be new to Waco.

mcopeland@wacotrib.com

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