Boot Barn in west Augusta hosted its grand opening over the weekend.
The national workwear chain and clothing brand has been working on developing its first CSRA since last year, when the company submitted its plans to Richmond County.
The retailer is housed in a 22,000-square foot building in the Apex, the west Augusta mixed-use development off Flowing Wells Road by the McKnight-Engler firm. Nestled near Camping World and Northern Tool & Equipment, and right next door to the upcoming Floor & Décor currently under construction, Boot Barn Augusta boasts a variety of work gear, rodeo attire and country and Western-themed apparel.
The store had a soft opening in mid-September, saving its fanfare for the ribbon cutting event on Friday.
“We’ve actually had a good footprint coming through,” said store manager Raymond Walls, noting that, per the chain store’s name, its vast array of boots has so far been the strongest seller. “Good many people from different factories, businesses and industries coming in to buy the work boots.”
The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce coordinated the ribbon-cutting, which kicked off at noon. Along with exploring aisles of boots, cowboy hats, oil slick dusters and rodeo apparel, prospective shoppers could spin a wheel and earn small prizes — such as scarves and bandanas — and could even help themselves to boot-shaped cookies.
The store hosted its own grand opening event later that evening, with the Jackson Truluck band performing a concert from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The welcoming festivities continued over the weekend, with the Kenny George Band playing Sunday afternoon.
“I always push everything back to music,” said Walls, who once managed the FYE record store in Augusta Mall. “It makes the world go round; there’s something for everyone.”
Boot Barn, headquartered in Irvine, Calif., has more than 370 store locations throughout the U.S. The Augusta site is its fourth store in Georgia, the others being in Columbus, Commerce and Gainesville. There are also four stores in South Carolina, including those in Rock Hill and Greenville.
Boot Barn Augusta is located at 120 Mason McKnight Jr. Parkway.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
