Stampede Tack & Western Wear
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Stampede Tack & Western Wear is Canada’s finest saddlery. We have been in business serving the west and the world since 1966 and have not only become a landmark in Cloverdale, British Columbia, but a destination. We are conveniently located just a short drive from downtown Vancouver, BC.
Stampede Tack & Western Wear was founded almost by accident in October of 1966 by Jack and Valerie Graham. Drawn to the coast from Winnipeg, the Graham’s settled down on a four-hectare hobby farm. It was not long after that Jack’s expertise – he had spent years in the car industry – was called upon to help liquidate an automotive parts business. After the initial liquidation sale, there was still lots of stuff left over and the Graham’s struck a deal with a local shop keeper to store the extras in his tire shed and continue to sell it. This unwittingly spawned the birth of one of Canada’s largest tack stores.
While selling the remainder of the auto parts, an old guy came by one day with a couple of used saddles. Jack bought them. They turned over so quickly that the Graham’s decided to bring in a few more saddles to see if they’d sell too.
So they placed a $3000 order for saddles and tack with Welsh’s Saddlery in Edmonton. The reputation of "The Swap Shop” spread quickly and soon people from as far away as Vancouver and Abbotsford came to the Graham’s for deals on saddles and tack. They didn’t last long in that old tire shop where the roof leaked and there wasn’t even room for a fitting room – they had hung up an old bedspread in the corner so people would have a place to try things on.
By October 1967, the Graham’s had moved around the corner to a 2500 sq. foot store they rented from Corky Jarvis, who owned the lumber yard. The Swap Shop had now evolved into Stampede Feed & Tack and before long the demand for all types of saddles and tack grew and the store was stocked to the ceiling. The atmosphere of Cloverdale was perfect for a budding tack and feed store. The locals would drop by for a visit with the amiable Grahams and for the camaraderie of the other customers. Soon, Stampede Feed & Tack became a focal point for those involved in the horse world – just as Stampede Tack & Western Wear continues to be today.
They quickly outgrew that second store too and in 1970 the Grahams moved Stampede Feed & Tack to its current 10,000 sq. foot location in Cloverdale at 17982 #10 Hwy. At the peak of their operation, they had a staff of 26 and a selection of stock that was second to none in Canada. The store was a horseperson’s dream – a destination really – with English and Western saddles, tack, clothing, boots, halters and more. Everything for the horse and rider!
The Graham’s sold Stampede Feed & Tack in 1972. From 1972 until 1984, it was owned by a partnership between the Roger’s and Davidson Families. In 1984, Ralph & Floss Winkler joined forces with Stampede when they brought over their store from neighboring Langley, Cliff’s Saddlery. This is the way Stampede would remain until 1995 when the Winkler’s would eventually become the sole proprietors of Stampede and renaming it to its current namesake, Stampede Tack & Western Wear. With many of the staff having been with Stampede Tack & Western Wear for over 10 years or more, there is always a friendly and familiar face ready to help when you arrive at the front door.
Stampede Tack & Western Wear continues today with the strong principles that originated from day one with the Graham’s. A supporter in the community by generously helping numerous organizations both in and outside the horse and western industry, Stampede Tack & Western Wear will continue to strive for years to come as a leader and as the Finest Saddlery in all of Canada.
Stampede Tack & Western Wear’s web page is being added to periodically. We are trying to add as much as possible without going overboard. We would like to have our site easy to use yet informative, so please enjoy our website and be sure to keep in touch with us by bookmarking our site in your favorites. If you want Western, we have it! If you want English, we have it!
