Western store opens in downtown
Downtown Pawhuska is seeing a surge of new businesses. Newest to the scene is the Osage Outfitters at 519 Kihekah.
This new western store was once home to Buck’s Saddle Shop in the 1980s. Joey and Callie Lee opened the Osage Outfitters this past Wednesday, just in time for the Cavalcade.
“Opening the Osage Outfitters is something we have been passionate about for several years,” says Callie. “We also wanted to set up our business in Pawhuska. Joey and I decided if we could live anywhere in the world, Pawhuska is it. We love it! Downtown Pawhuska seems very romantic and quaint. We love the marketing aspect of saying we are in the heart of downtown plus the history of this building. There’s so much character. We felt it when we first walked in. I don’t want to change a thing.”
The Lees decided to make their dream a reality last October when they began scouting out potential businesses.
“We began sticking our faces up to store fronts,” says Callie. “looking into real estate and seeing what we could find. I suggested to Joey that we swing by the Chamber. If anyone knows what’s available, it would the Chamber. We met with Mike McCartney and he got the ball rolling.”
Callie Lee, who hails from Ponca City, began visiting Pawhuska when she was a small child. Her Dad would bring the family over for picnics and outings to the Tallgrass Prairie. She and Joey graduated from Oklahoma State University with degrees in Animal Science in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Joey’s minor is in Livestock Production. Callie minored in Business. Following graduation, the couple continued to live in Stillwater. Callie gained retail experience as both an Assistant Manager and General Manger for a Stillwater western store. Joey assisted with the day-to-day operations for Burtrum Cattle Company. He is also involved with the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, Beef Council, and is Beef Quality Assured. Joey, along with Taylor Reed, is currently enrolled in the Cattlemen’s Leadership Association Program.
Like Callie, Joey’s love for Pawhuska is deeply rooted, especially since he spent a large portion of his childhood visiting Pawhuska relatives. Joey’s great grandfather, Alex Dickson, owed the barber shop that previously occupied the space where the pocket park is located on Kihekah.
While inventory is still coming in, Osage Outfitters already has an impressive selection of boots with Justin, Anderson Beam, ladies fashion boots, Macie Bean. Rios of Mercedes and Olathe booths are on order.
“As we grow, we want to add Tony Lama and Nocona,” says Callie. “Eventually we will carry everything to outfit the working and fashion-conscious cowboy and cowgirl – including Wranglers and Levis. Right now we are carrying western hats, Conchos, rings, buckles, saddles, cinches, breast collars, headstalls, tie downs, ropes, stirrups – anything that we like to use and that people need. Our ultimate goal is to be a one-stop western store so people don’t have to drive out of town. If we don’t have it, we can order it, including custom boots and saddles.”
Joey says, “We were a little hesitant to get too much inventory when we first started because we want feedback from people. Tell us what you want, that’s what we want to carry.” During the Cavalcade, Joey said Osage Outfitters had a limited display of custom-made saddles by Jody Stanley of Sulphur River Saddlery. The display was to give customers an idea of the quality of saddles Osage Outfitters will stock.
“We are expecting to have some of Stanley’s saddles in about 6-8 weeks,” says Joey.
For questions or more information about Osage Outfitters, call 918-287-3110.