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Canyon News Readers’ Choice Awards is a publication of The Canyon News. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent.
CRABTREE AUTOMOTIVE
BY NOLA HOPKINS CANYON NEWS CORRESPONDENT
Gary Crabtree doesn’t have a sign for his automotive business at 201 N. 11th Street; he doesn’t need one.
Most of his new customers come from word-of-mouth from his satisfied return customers. Crabtree Automotive was named Readers’ Choice Best Brake Repair and Best Independent Mechanic Shop for 2024.
“I come to Crabtree Automotive, and have Gary work on my vehicle because he’s honest,” long-time customer Sherry Smethurst said. “He does what you want him to do as far as the engine and parts. You can actually set an appointment time, and know they will be there to take care of it. That’s what is important to me because I live about 30 minutes outside of town. Gary has excellent knowledge of motor vehicles and engines. He’s here to help Canyon and its residents.”
Crabtree has always been interested in repairing things. Early one Sunday morning when he was six, he took the door off his mother’s oven to repair a loose handle. After tightening the handle screws, however, he couldn’t get the insulation back inside the door, so he had to wake his father to ask him to hold the door.
“I tore up a lot of stuff (go carts, motorcycles, etc.) when I was a kid and had to fix it before my dad found out,” he said of his early interest in making repairs. Although he was too young to drive, he had his own car when he was 11; he had traded a motorcycle that he had bought with his own hard-earned money for it.
He took auto mechanics at Canyon High School with teacher Mickey Hathaway, but he didn’t plan to make a living repairing cars. However, Hathaway told him that a local shop needed help. The day after he graduated CHS in 1985, Crabtree went to work in the shop. By April of 1995 he had his own automotive repair business.
His business philosophy is: “I don’t focus on making money. I focus on fixing as many cars as I can efficiently, and the money will come. You are going to know what it will cost to get your car fixed before it’s worked on. I try not to surprise people with unexpected costs. I really work hard at that. Personal integrity is extremely important to me.”
Crabtree Automotive offers driving issue repairs, oil changes, all maintenance needs, brakes and suspension, and fuel system service. He no longer does major engine repairs.
“I don’t do quick; I do quality; that’s my thing,” he said. He often lets customers know what services they may need in the near future, so they can prepare for that possibility and not be surprised.
Crabtree has two technicians in his shop. His wife, Dusty, does his daily books. The shop is open 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday –Friday.
Crabtree Automotive has won the Readers’ Choice Best Brake Repair and Best Independent Mechanic Shop for at least 10 years.
“It’s definitely an honor,” Crabtree said. “It’s my customers. I have the best customers there are.”
Gary and Dusty Crabtree
EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF CANYON ISD
BY NOLA HOPKINS CANYON NEWS CORRESPONDENT
The Education Foundation of Canyon ISD has received the Readers’ Choice Best Charitable Event Award.
Actually the foundation sponsored two events that tied for the award: “Let’s Pickle for Education” and “Scramble Fore Education.”
“On behalf of our board of directors, we are thrilled that the community has become more aware of our organization through our promotion of these fundraising events,” executive director Kelly Norman said.
The non-profit organization gives fall and spring grants. Teachers can apply for those grants for special classroom needs. The foundation awarded $40,000 to teachers last fall.
Student leadership grants are also given to studentled organizations that seek to do projects for the school or community. Additionally, student scholarships are awarded in the spring.
Grants help meet teachers’ needs that aren’t met through the traditional budget, according to Norman. The foundation works with community partners such as Paul Blake Enterprises and the Education Credit Union.
“We are so blessed to live in this community that is so giving to organizations such as us that support education,” Norman said.
“The Education Foundation is vital to our district, offering extra resources and opportunities that truly enhance our students’ education and support our teachers’ creativity,” CISD superintendent Dr. Darryl
Flusche said after the pickle ball event in February.
The pickle ball tournament raised $9,000 at the Netplex in Amarillo. More than 45 teams competed in the event that Kara Gist and Erin Miller co-chaired. Flusche and assistant superintendent Cameron Rosser was one of those teams.
“Cameron and I had a blast playing in the tournament,” Flusche said. “We didn’t win, but the real victory was enjoying the game and connecting with our community.”
“We are always looking for a way to be a part of the community and get awareness out about our organization,” Norman said. “Knowing the popularity of the sport, it seemed like a great win-win.”
The fourth annual “Scramble Fore Education” raised $23,000 in June at the Palo Duro Creek Golf Course.
Jeff Hamilton and Laurie Gilliland chaired the event with 27 teams of four. The tournament is the foundation’s largest fundraiser of the year.
“We are grateful for our title sponsors, First United Bank and Republic Services, and other community sponsors for helping us make this event a success each year,” Norman said.
Speaking about the importance of the non-profit organization, Flusche said, “The Education Foundation is key to helping us achieve our mission of empowering lifelong success. They bring so much to the table, from enriching our students’ learning journeys to supporting our teachers’ innovative ideas. Events like the pickle ball tournament are a fun way to show just how committed the Foundation is to bringing everyone together. It’s about raising funds, sure, but also about building a sense of community and making a real difference in our schools. We’re really thankful for all they do.”
From left, president Robin Lannou, past president Kara Gist, executive director Kelly Norman, board of directors member Paul DeLeon
ASSISTED LIVING/ RETIREMENT HOME
SkyWest
Assisted Living Center
CHIROPRACTOR Canyon Chiropractic
HEALTH CARE
DENTIST
Dr. Kenneth Crossland
EYE CARE Espy Vision
ORTHODONTIST
Hodges & Hodges Orthodontics
PHARMACY United Supermarkets
PHYSICIAN
Dr. Lawrence R. Mcafee, MD
URGENT CARE Care Express Urgent Care
VETERINARIAN Palo Duro Animal Hospital
ESPY EYE CARE
Amanda Sappington, O.D., is “excited and honored” that Espy Vision has been named Readers’ Choice Best Locally Owned Business and Best Eye Care for 2024.
Sappington opened her clinic in November of 2022. So why does she think she has won the two awards so quickly?
“I think we were chosen because we work really hard to maintain that family relationship with our patients,” she said. “They feel comfortable coming to us with any questions. No questions are too silly. From my aspect, when we opened this office, we went through it writing Bible verses on every doorway in the office. We kind of dedicated this office from the beginning, and that’s how we try to serve our patients.”
Sappington provides routine eye care and medical eye care such as diabetes, red eyes, infections and trauma. She starts seeing children at about age four. She provides her older patients education on cataracts and risk factors such as glaucoma and macular degeneration.
She selects unique frame lines that give back to other causes. For example, she chose one line that gives to the Dave Thomas Foundation for adoptions because she has an adopted daughter. Another plants a tree for each frame sold.
Her specialty is sports vision training in which she works with athletes to enhance their eye-brain performance. She said the training takes at least four sessions, but she recommends eight to nine sessions once a week for 30 to 40 minutes each. She re-evaluates the athlete at the end of the sessions.
“It’s like working out,” she said. “My patients have done really well.”
She has worked with Canyon High School baseball players and West Texas A&M University softball girls.
“Coach (Michael) Mook is one of my biggest advocates,” Sappington said.
Sappington is the only optometrist is the area to offer the service.
“It’s a new division within optometry,” she said. “We are getting people educated.”
Sappington has two employees. Madison Gillis, an optician, helps patients select frames and handles all
aspects of glasses. She has been with Sappington since her opening day.
Emma Hohenshell joined Sappington five months ago as a receptionist/technician. In addition to checking patients in, she does the preliminary work before they see Sappington.
“We all wear many hats,” Sappington said.
Espy Vision is located at 3406 Fourth Ave., suite B, in the business complex with Journey Coffee. Its hours are 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Monday – Wednesday; 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Thursday; and 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Friday.
Summer hours are 8:30 a.m. – noon, Friday. The business phone number is 806-391-4554.
Sappington graduated from Canyon High School in 1998 and her husband, Jarrett, graduated in 1999. He is a Lowe’s store manager in Amarillo. She graduated from WT with a business administration degree in 2003 and then from the University of Houston in 2012 with her doctor of optometry degree.
“We love being in our hometown,” she said. “It was nice to come home. We have been very blessed. It has been exciting.”
Amanda Sappington, O.D., right, optical manager Madison Gillis, center, and receptionist/technician Emma Hohenshell, left.
PALO DURO ANIMAL HOSPITAL
BY NOLA HOPKINS CANYON NEWS CORRESPONDENT
Palo Duro Animal Hospital has been named Best Veterinarian of 2024 by Readers’ Choice. The hospital actually has three veterinarians: Dr. Rob Ballinger, Dr. Stacy Smith, and Dr. Amy Kirkland.
Why did their clinic win the award?
Ballinger and Smith quickly pointed to Kirkland.
“It was Amy; she’s our people person,” Ballinger said. Then they reflected a while.I do think we care, and I do think we try, and we do a good job.”
“I think we try to make sure that they know that we care,” Kirkland said.
“We don’t just rush them in and rush them out,” Smith said.
Ballinger added, “I think the old saying is true: ‘People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.’”
They agree that they collaborate and learn from each other.
The three have different reasons for becoming veterinarians.
“I like the variety of you-never-know-what’sgoing-to-come-up after doing it 40 years,” Ballinger
From left, Dr. Amy Kirkland , Dr. Rob Ballinger, and Dr. Stacy Smith
said. “If it was the same thing every day, I wouldn’t be doing it.”
He graduated from Texas A&M in 1984.
For Smith, “That’s really the only thing I ever wanted to be. I like animals because humans are gross. I have always loved medicine in general.” She graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1996 and joined Ballinger in his practice in 2020.
“I like getting to know people,” Kirkland said. “At the end of the day, I do get to play with puppies and kittens. There are people that go to work every day and don’t get to play with animals.”
She graduated from Sul Ross State University in 2013. She joined Ballinger in his practice in 2015.
The trio see 30-40 animals a day. They rotate responsibilities. One will do outpatient work such as yearly wellness visits and diagnostics while another does the in-patient doctoring such as surgeries, dental cleaning and drop-offs.
“We are the ultimate general practitioners,” Ballinger said.
The veterinarians’ main challenge is that their patients “can’t talk to us to tell us what’s going on. It’s an investigation,” Smith said.
Another challenge is to get owners to know when it’s time to have their animals put to sleep.
“Puppies are cute, but old dogs are family,” Ballinger said.
The clinic doesn’t have to deal with insurance companies the way medical doctors do.
“We are lucky (about insurance), but we do have continual financial constraints because some people can’t do it (afford certain treatments), so our job is to do the best we can with the limitations that we are given.”
Two rescue cats, Soy and Charlie, provide stress relief for the doctors.
“When one of us is having a bad day, we can sit down and pet a cat,” Ballinger said.
They work case-by-case to send rescued animals to rescue groups.
“New technicians always wind up with a new pet,” because they have soft hearts.
“When you get out of vet school, you probably have some one-eyed, three-legged animals,” Ballinger said. “My wife once said that she wanted a complete animal – one with two eyes and four legs.”
Palo Duro Animal Hospital is open 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Monday – Friday, and 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday.
CANYON’S EDGE PLANTS AND CANYON CHIROPRACTIC
BY NOLA HOPKINS CANYON NEWS CORRESPONDENT
It’s an honor to have your business named as a Readers’ Choice award winner, but it’s a double honor when a married couple with separate businesses both win awards. That’s what Neal Hinders, owner of Canyon’s Edge Plants, and Nancy Hinders, owner of Canyon Chiropractic, have done.
The Hinders have been married 39 years. Their parents were friends in church as the two grew up. He graduated from Canyon High School in 1981 and she in 1983. They married in 1985.
Nancy followed in her father’s footsteps as a chiropractor. Robert West had started Canyon Chiropractic in 1964, 60 years ago.
“He moved to town cold turkey and started from scratch by himself all those years,” she said. “I came in 1989. I was interested in health care and helping people.” Back then only about 10 to 15 percent of chiropractic students were female. Now the percentage is closer to 25, according to Nancy.
After 35 years as a chiropractor, what is important to Nancy?
“My biggest treasure is helping generations of families,” she said. “We have multiple families that were Dr. West patients, and I have continued to care for grandparents and great-grandparents, and now I am getting their children and grandchildren. That’s one of my favorite things – the trust that we have built in families. Kids that were raised coming to the clinic are now bringing their own children.”
Dr. Danielle Valdez joined the practice last year. She has additional training in infants, children and pregnant mothers. The clinic also has three full-time employees.
Canyon Chiropractic offers basic chiropractic care such as low back pain, headaches, sports injuries, and pregnancy and infant care. They focus on low-force spinal adjustment.
“Our focus is to work on the spinal alignment and how improving that can
help the nerve supply and function to better activity and better health,” Nancy said.
As Nancy was building her practice, Neal was “Mr. Mom” for their two children, Erica and Logan, for 21 years.
“We really flipped roles; he cooked and did the laundry,” Nancy said. “He was the PTA dad; he did it all.
It was great because I could work full-time.”
Neal became interested in horticulture and xeriscaping and built a greenhouse at their country home. He sold plants from there, and eventually opened Canyon’s Edge Plants in 2014 at 1401 Fifth Ave.
He displays many of his plants outside the walls of his corner business. Signs name the plants in the beds.
Neal and Nancy Hinders
“People can drive by and see how they (plants) are growing and how they would look in their yard,” he said. “It makes a huge difference to have the plants blooming in the flower beds because it’s not as easy to sell our perennials because they are not as showy in the pots on the benches.”
To help people understand the importance of xeriscaping, Neal teaches a session about which perennial bedding plants do the best in this area to the Master Gardeners’ interns. He also enjoys answering people’s horticulture questions, whether they buy from him or not. He invites people to come in and browse.
He starts most of his plants from cuttings or seeds in his greenhouses at home before transporting them to town. He uses only organic fertilizer and avoids pesticides. Through the year he will have 400-450 varieties, depending on what is ready.
He has a potting room/check-out building at his business. Its shelves are full of succulents. He is always trying to find new varieties of plants that will grow in the challenging panhandle environment.
Both businesses winning Readers’ Choice awards was rewarding to the couple.
“We get very excited that the community voted for us and recognize that we work hard for our patient base
and the customers at Canyon’s Edge,” Nancy said. “We provide good patient/customer service.”
Her husband agreed.
“We strive to do our best,” Neal said. “We have excellent employees to help do our jobs.”
The couple work well together.
“Nancy and I support each other as far as she will help me fill in on the 4 th of July, and I help around here (the clinic),” he said.
“I am not the gardener, but I can be a warm, friendly face (at the nursery),” Nancy said. She also does his books and payroll, and he does repairs and landscaping at the clinic.
“I have to have a fix-it person,” Nancy said. “You treat patients 30-32 hours a week, but you have to have time to run two businesses and maintain two properties. I am very thankful because we can help each other back and forth.”
The couple credit their employees as part of their success.
“We don’t do this alone,” Nancy said. “We back each other up. We have staff and employees that have been helpful to us in our businesses. They promote our business. They help us run successful businesses. You sure can’t do it by yourself.”
Another reason they are successful?
“We both enjoy doing what we do a lot,” Neal said.
APPETIZERS
Mickey’s Place
ASIAN CUISINE
Sayakomarn’s Restaurant
BAKERY
The Cake Company
BBQ Fat Boy’s
BEST DATE NIGHT RESTAURANT
Mickey’s Place
BEST DRINK (ALCOHOL)
Taqueria El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant
BEST DRINK (NONALCOHOL)
HTeaO
BEST LOCAL RESTAURANT
Mickey’s Place
BREAKFAST
Buenos Dias
BREAKFAST BURRITO
Buff’s
BURRITO
Allsup’s
Convenience Store
RESTAURANTS
CATFISH
Chicken Express
CHICKEN
Chicken Express
CHICKEN FRIED STEAK
Feldman’s Wrong Way Diner
CHILI
Bear’s Burgers and Dawgs
CINNAMON ROLLS
Schlotzsky’s
COFFEE HOUSE
Journey Canyon
DELI
United Supermarkets
DESSERT
Mickey’s Place
DONUT Got Donuts
FAJITAS
Joe Taco
FAST FOOD
Bear’s Burgers and Dawgs
FOOD TRUCK
Joe Taco
FRENCH FRIES
McDonald’s
FRITO PIE
Bear’s Burgers and Dawgs
FULL SERVICE
RESTAURANT
Mickey’s Place
GIFT BASKETS
Creek House
Honey Farm
HAMBURGER
Bear’s Burgers and Dawgs
HOT DOG
Bear’s Burgers and Dawgs
ICE CREAM
Braum’s
ITALIAN FOOD
Mickey’s Place
MEAT SELECTION
Ranchers
Storefront
MEXICAN FOOD
Taqueria El Tapatio Mexican Restaurant
ONION RINGS
Buff’s
OUTDOOR DINING
Joe Taco
PIZZA
La Bella Pizza
RIBS
Pepito’s Mexican Restaurante
SALAD
Mickey’s Place
SANDWICH
Schlotzsky’s
SNACKS/SWEETS
Rock N Roll Soda Shoppe
SNOW CONE
The Snoball Stop
SPORTS BAR/ HAPPY HOUR
West Texas
Sports Grill
STEAK
Texas Rose
Steakhouse
SWEET TEA
HTeaO
TEA HTeaO
QUESO
Joe Taco
BEAR’S, BURGERS AND DAWGS
BY NOLA HOPKINS CANYON NEWS CORRESPONDENT
Bear’s Burgers and Dawgs has won multiple Readers’ Choice awards since it opened in December of 2017, so it’s no surprise that it won three for 2024: Best Fast Food, Best Chili, and Best Frito Pie.
Owner Barry Tredway thinks another category should be added: Best Cherry Limeade. He’s certain he could add that plaque to his awards wall.
“I love to win an award,” Tredway said. “I appreciate the people that voted for us.”
He thinks good customer service and good products are the reason his business has won so many awards.
Bear’s Burgers and Dawgs owner Barry Tredway, right, and employee Christian Howard.
Chili
C
Frito
Loaded
“My employees are good people,” he said. “They are friendly and do whatever they can to take care of our customers.”
Of his six employees, Christian Howard has been with him the longest, having started in 2019 as a West Texas A&M University student.
“If I’m not here, he will take care of any problems,” Tredway said.
Howard has enjoyed working for Tredway.
“This is a wonderful place to work,” he said. “I couldn’t work for a better place and a better boss. He’s fantastic to work with. He has worked with my (WT) schedule.”
Howard’s favorite menu item is the chicken fried steak sandwich. Other popular items include a variety of hamburgers including green chili cheeseburgers, steak fingers, loaded baked potatoes, chicken sandwiches and chili cheese dawgs.
Bear’s Burgers and Dawgs isn’t on a main street, so it’s a little hard to find. That’s why “word of mouth for 6 ½ years has kept us going,” Tredway said. It’s located in a small business area behind United Supermarkets. If people use Yelp or Google, they can also find it.
“Everybody looks at the ratings and the pictures,” he said. His rating is 4.7 out of 5, the best in Canyon, according to Tredway.
“I love the people,” he said. “It’s been tough with COVID, but we have always had a good following to keep us going. Lots of regulars. It’s been a blessing being in Canyon. I didn’t want to do it in Amarillo.”
Running a restaurant is in Tredway’s family. His father, Larry Wesley, started Fat Boy’s BBQ in1988. He and his wife, Janice, had a barbecue place, Wesley’s Bean Pot, in Amarillo for 30 years. They also help one day a week at Bear’s.
“We like to serve the public,” Tredway said. “We are just people persons. Some jobs don’t have any personality to them.”
It wasn’t hard for Tredway to come up with a name for his business. His mother has always called him “Bear” because his name is Barry. It has been with him his whole life, and even his grandchildren call him Bear.
Bear’s Burgers and Dawgs is open Tuesday - Friday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturday 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and closed Sunday and Monday. It is located at 2001 N. 2nd Ave.
Larr y, Janice, Bear & Christie.
Grilled
Chicken
Baked
Grilled
Loaded
Chicken
Chicken
Frito
Chicken
Baked
Tator
AGRICULTURE LENDER
First United Bank
ATTORNEY/LAW FIRM
Cody Simmons/ Simmons Brown
AUTO LOAN COMPANY
First National Bank BANK
CATERING
Feldman’s Wrong Way Diner
CREDIT UNION Education Credit Union
FINANCIAL PLANNER Gilliland Investment Management Inc.
FITNESS CENTER 806 Fit
MEETING PLACE
Hampton Inn & Suites
NEW BUSINESS
Sad Monkey Mercantile
CUSTOMER SERVICE Happy State Bank
DAY CARE
Amarillo National Bank
FLORIST HR’s Flowers & Gifts
PARTY/WEDDING VENUE Sad Monkey Hall
PET GROOMER
In His Hands Child Development Center
Pampered Pooch
FUNERAL HOME Brooks Funeral Home
BARBER SHOP
Platinum Cuts Barbershop
BEST LOCALLY OWNED BUSINESS Espy Vision
BEST PLACE TO WORK Amarillo National Bank
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT Amarillo Sod Poodles
DRIVE THRU BANK Happy State Bank
DRY CLEANING Modern Cleaners
HAIR SALON Buffalo Barber
HOTEL Holiday Inn Express & Suites
INSURANCE AGENCY Kenny Dean, Agent
LIQUOR STORE M&R Package Store
Nikki Ash
PHOTOGRAPHER
Camille Davis Photography
REAL ESTATE AGENCY Palo Duro Real Estate REAL ESTATE AGENT Alyssa Allison
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS & SUITES
BY NOLA HOPKINS CANYON NEWS CORRESPONDENT
Whether its West Texas A&M University coaches bringing in possible recruits, families coming to enjoy Palo Duro Canyon and TEXAS, or retirees traveling the country, they find a welcoming, comfortable place to stay at the Canyon Holiday Inn. The hotel has been named Readers’ Choice 2024 Best Hotel.
“I was surprised, actually, and just proud,” general manager Edith Weatherford said about receiving the award. “It’s all about guest service, and that’s what we are all about. The guests come here expecting that it’s their home-away-from-home, and we roll out the red carpet for them. Our main goal is to over-meet their expectations.
That’s a good thing. It will always reflect on us. Hospitality.” Weatherford and 22 employees make sure that hospitality happens.
The hotel has recently undergone a full renovation of guest rooms, the lobby, dining room and corridors. A new sundry shop with drinks, microwavable dinners, candy and snacks has been added. Other amenities include a full hot breakfast, an indoor heated pool, spa, patio and fitness room.
The hotel has 66 rooms which include 11 king suites, two double bedroom suites, and two large living area suites. All rooms have refrigerators and microwaves.
Weatherford’s hotel experience started in Dalhart when she obtained a job in housekeeping in the Econo-Lodge in 1998. She moved to laundry and then the front desk, and within six months she had become the general manager of the new Dalhart Holiday Inn. She assumed the position at the Canyon Holiday Inn nearly seven years ago.
“I love my job,” Weatherford said. “It’s like I am not working. I do believe God gives us our gifts, and it just comes naturally.”
So whether its parents bringing their students to WTAMU or opposing teams coming to play the Buffs, they will receive a warm welcome at the Holiday Inn, thanks to Weatherford and her 22 employees.
Holiday Inn general manager Edith Weatherford
ANTIQUE STORE
ReuZe It Again
ART GALLERY
Randy Friemel
BOOKSTORE
Burrowing Owl
Books
CHILDREN’S CLOTHING
Walmart Supercenter
SHOPPING
CONVENIENCE STORE
PAK-A-SAK
DISCOUNT STORE
ReuZe It Again
ELECTRONICS
Walmart Supercenter
FLOORING
Carpet World
GIFTS/ACCESSORIES
Thompson’s Gift Shop
GIFT REGISTRY
Thompson’s Gift Shop
GROCERIES
United Supermarkets
HOME DECOR
Weathered Elements
JEWELRY Creations By MikEE Jewelers
LADY’S CLOTHING
Blessed Buffalo Boutique
SHOES
Runningwater Dry Goods
WESTERN WEAR/ BOOTS
West Texas Western Store
BLESSED BUFFALO BOUTIQUE
BY NOLA HOPKINS CANYON NEWS CORRESPONDENT
With its wide range of merchandise, Blessed Buffalo has been named the 2024 Readers’ Choice Best Ladies Clothing award winner.
“We are humbled because there are a lot of fabulous boutiques in the Canyon area,” Blessed Buffalo general manager Laci Murray said. “It means a lot to us that our customers would recognize us as something special.”
Store manager Tricia Sheffield hopes they make
a difference through their store mission where “we seek to build relationships and know our customers’ needs whether they are a WT student, grandmother or girlfriends out for a day of shopping.”
The store carries stylish jeans such as Judy Blue and Risen as well as standout boutique tops for date nights, vacations and every day casual wear. Their shoe lines include classic comfort for year-round wear with a “pop of unique seasonal styles.”
The shop also carries a wide selection of jewelry.
“Whether your style is Southwest or traditional, we have selections for every shopper’s taste,” Murray said.
Blessed Buffalo general manager Laci Murray, right, and store manager Tricia Sheffield
“We have statement Navajo-inspired pieces, traditional gold pieces, or you can show your own style by building a personalized piece from our charm bar.”
The boutique offers a variety of graphic T-shirts designed by local artists. They range in style from faith-inspired to holiday to Southwest.
Blessed Buffalo is a favorite place for sports fans to find stylish game-day apparel. They offer a variety of products for the Canyon Eagles, Randall Raiders and West Plains Wolves as well as West Texas A&M. Merchandise includes Polos, hats, hoodies, tees and more.
In addition to apparel, the shop carries gift items such as candles, bath products and “divinely scented” laundry products. It also has a selection of faithbased gifts such as devotional books and Bible study resources.
Since it opened six years ago, the shop has “sprinkled store events throughout the year to celebrate and treat our customers with discounts and hospitality,” Sheffield said. For example, on West Texas A&M University’s family weekend, the shop hosts “Buffs, Bagels and Brew (a coffee bar).”
Blessed&Grateful
The Friday before Thanksgiving, it hosts “Pink Friday” (like Black Friday except focusing on small business). It also hosts a Christmas Open House. Additionally, employees participate in the Chamber of Commerce Christmas style show.
Wednesdays are special days at the boutique.
“We have been fortunate to build an online audience, but our local customers take precedent. We offer ‘First Peek’ at new arrivals to them every Wednesday in store before online release,” Murray said.
The two managers are always looking for ways to serve their customers better.
“We are open to ideas for improving our offerings to meet the needs of our customers,” Murray said.
“Thanks to our customers, we are in the process of expansion to offer more great merchandise to Canyon and beyond.”
Blessed Buffalo is owned by Chad and Mendy Riggins. It is located at 2306 Fourth Avenue.
Store hours are 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday – Friday, and 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday.
“We are honored to serve the community of Canyon,” Sheffield said.
