Paisley’s celebrates 5th anniversary at new Oaklawn location




 

 

Paisley’s is celebrating its 5th year anniversary in a new location at 402 West Oaklawn, Pleasanton. It is a prime location that has been in the Crouch family for some 20 years and is now owned by Sheila and her husband, Bubba.

The location may have changed but Paisley’s is still a unique retail destination with a trendy cowboy flair for men and women’s clothing, gifts, accessories, home décor and footwear. The idea for Paisley’s was planted in two very different ways into Sheila Crouch’s mind some years ago. Her background was in construction not retail. But she found by accident that she had a knack for knowing what sells and for selling it. As a lover of Santa Fe jewelry, she designed quite a few pieces that she would in turn have a jeweler make on her trips to New Mexico. The man making her pieces said to her, “Feed your fetish!” Crouch responded, “What?” He told her that she needed to order a little extra then sell it. The man explained that is how you feed your fetish. She did just that for five years at rodeos. It got to the point where there was a stampede in the stands for her jewelry. She then read an article in the Pleasanton Express about the future business growth in the area. She wanted to be a part of that growth. She told her husband, “I want to open a store. I think I can do this!” But, first she did her homework.

To be successful in any retail venture, you need to be familiar with your competition. Crouch though approaches this from a different perspective. She went to area retail stores to see what they offered so she would not be selling the same things they were. She did not want to compete against her neighbors but help grow a one-of-a-kind business. She feels there is enough business to go around and that each store benefits from its own distinctive character. Her philosophy is to keep business local and shop local so that the entire community reaps economic growth. “If someone comes into my store looking for a specific brand that I do not have, I tell staff to send them to the local business here who carries it,” said Crouch. “I would rather they spend their dollars locally putting back money that will go to making our town stronger than going to San Antonio.”

Crouch feels that locally owned businesses build strong communities by linking neighbors in both economic and social relationships. The shop local concept comes full circle when locally owned businesses also make a commitment to contribute some of their revenue back to community causes.

Crouch recycles a share of Paisley’s revenue back into the local community by giving to more than 20 area organizations and events. She feels it is very important to not just write a check but to actually also show up and volunteer. “It is very important that we don’t just give dollars but that my children, our staff and myself show up in our community through volunteering,” said Crouch.

Paisley’s has provided sponsorship to Our Lady of Grace Academy, Poteet Strawberry Festival, Pleasanton ISD, Project Graduation, Pleasanton ISD Special Olympics, Jourdanton ISD Project Graduation, Charlotte ISD Project Graduation, Women’s Crisis Center, Atascosa County Child Protective Services, Atascosa County Livestock Show, Lions Club Wild Game Dinner, Pleasanton Chamber of Commerce – Cowboy Homecoming, Homecoming Court, Cowboy of the Year, Pleasanton Ag Boosters, Poteet Little League, Texas High School Rodeo Association, Pleasanton Volunteer Fire Department, Healthy Women’s Gala and the Ladies Methodist Church Luncheon and Fashion Show.

Crouch takes pride in the quality brands her store carries dozens of brands which appeal to men and women of all ages and to a variety of budgets. At one point, Crouch sold children’s clothing but found it to be a difficult sell. So, she made a business decision to stop. She donated some $15,000 worth of inventory to Child Protective Services. The agency told her that their need was great as most children arrive with nothing more than the clothes on their backs.

Sheila and her husband, Bubba, live in Pleasanton with their two daughters, Stormi and Bandi Jo.


 

 

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