Tyler, We’re Comin’ Home!

“Chase your dreams but always know the road that will lead you home again,” is a saying that rings true for the folks at Cavender’s. In 1977, Cavender’s opened its fourth ever store in Tyler, Texas.

Cavender’s thrived in Tyler, becoming the go-to store for the best Western products at affordable prices with excellent customer service. A couple of decades later, the home office operations were moved from Pittsburg, Texas, to Tyler—making the city the official hub for the Western retailer. Many members of the Cavender’s family also followed suit and planted roots in Tyler and surrounding areas–where they have worked, lived, volunteered, attended school, and become deeply involved in the community.

Because of great success in Tyler and surrounding areas, Cavender’s began to open in more Texas towns like College Station, Greenville, Huntsville, Hurst, Lufkin, Palestine, Paris, and Texarkana. Then eventually, more stores opened in larger markets like Fort Worth, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Austin and Amarillo. Cavender’s became synonymous with great Western wear not only in East Texas, but throughout the entire Lone Star State. In the early 2000s, Cavender’s took its legacy into four other states. Now, Cavender’s has locations nationwide–from Colorado to Alabama to Nevada to Nebraska—employing 2,000-plus associates.

Cavender’s has maintained their core values of quality products and customer service, while elevating its store design and craftsmanship. With each new store comes new, updated finishes –including modern signage and fixtures, cow-shaped mannequins, framed family photos, custom hat bars, and more intricate details. These touches, along with top-notch customer service, have made shopping at Cavender’s feel like a special occasion to many customers.

Because the Tyler location was the fourth ever for the retailer, the flagship store has somewhat been left behind in the sense of a beautiful, welcoming store design. But after 46 years in the community, Cavender’s decided the 2025 W SW Loop 323 location was well-deserving of an update that’s reflective of the latest stores. After all, Tyler is our home, and that’s something we’re proud of.

So, after many months of in all-in remodel, the Cavender’s location has reopened its doors. Clay Cavender, Vice President of Merchandising, led the redesign of the store, and gave KLTV 7 a behind-the-scenes look.

“We’ve never been able to show our best face in Tyler, and now we’re able to do that, so we’re just excited for everybody to see it,” Clay Cavender told KLTV 7. “Took the ceiling out, and it’s basically a brand-new store. Top to bottom, left to right.”

The enhanced features include new flooring, lighting, wall finishes, fixtures, and a new exterior façade which will be implemented in future store designs. Every cubic inch of the 16,765 square-foot sales floor has a Cavender family touch, from dressing rooms dedicated to founders James and Pat Cavender to family murals to framed photos of Cavender family members hunting, fishing and ranching.

“[Mom and Dad] would love it. My mom used to help me do all this years ago, and she would love it. My dad would love all of the family photos for sure,” said Clay Cavender.

From May 5-7, Cavender’s will be welcoming the Tyler community back into the remodeled flagship store with a Texas-sized homecoming celebration.

Take a look at the store and hear the Interview with Clay Cavender below.

Cavender’s Boot City gives first look at renovated flagship Tyler store.