BLAIR, NEBRASKA (2024 JULY 22, MONDAY) – Blair’s Washington Street has a new western jewel that’s bringing flair to our community. Howdy Vaquera Western Boutique, owned by the Trevizo family, is quickly becoming a go-to destination for quality western wear right in the heart of town.
The night before their official opening, my wife and I had the pleasure of visiting Howdy Vaquera. We were immediately struck by the boutique’s appearance: bright, well-laid out, and styled perfectly to fit the western apparel motif. It’s clear that a lot of thought and care went into creating an inviting atmosphere.
Marisa Trevizo, the driving force behind the boutique, emphasizes that this is truly a family affair. Her husband Carlos, their son Carlos (who some may remember from David Page’s “Little Dragons” karate classes), and their other children are all integral to the business. This family connection adds a warm, personal touch to the shopping experience.
(There’s a special connection between my family and the Trevizos: both of my sons worked with Carlos Trevizo Jr. in David Page’s “Little Dragons” karate classes. This personal link adds an extra layer of community spirit to the boutique’s story.)
Kelly Johnson of 94.7 Blair Radio recently visited the store, noting that the Trevizos have “decided to go out on a limb and open a store, finding a niche in our area that hasn’t been covered for a while, where you can find Western Wear.”
The inspiration behind the boutique came from a common challenge many Blair residents faced. “The problem we and probably many people had was that when we wanted to buy western clothing, we had to travel to Omaha, and it took up too much time in our day,” Marisa explains. This frustration was echoed by their son Carlos during the radio interview: “Every time we needed to buy something, we had to go to Cavender’s or Boot Barn, and the drive there wasn’t really fun most of the time.”
What started as a living room business has blossomed into a charming storefront. Marisa shared with Kelly, “I used to sell clothing from my home in the living room. It started as a kind of dream. At the beginning of this year, I saw the ‘for rent’ sign in the window. I asked the owner, and we started to make our decorations.”
Despite its cozy size, Howdy Vaquera packs a big punch. The store caters to men, women, and children, offering a range of western wear essentials. “We have Ariat, Wrangler, Lane Boots, Rock and Roll Denim, and many more to come,” Marisa told Kelly. She added, “We also have items for kids, including jeans for boys. We offer hats, dresses, boots, and even sandals.”
During our visit the night before the official opening, my wife and I were impressed by the boutique’s warm atmosphere and quality merchandise. My wife found a beautiful pair of earrings, and I picked up a stylish shirt. We made these purchases not just because we liked the items, but also because we believe in supporting local businesses like Howdy Vaquera. It’s this kind of community support that will help the Trevizos’ dream flourish.
The Trevizo family’s passion for western culture runs deep, as Carlos Jr. explained: “It’s been fun growing up around western wear, always watching western movies. You know, our house is decorated in a very similar way.”
Their grand opening was a success, with Marisa describing it as “amazing” with “a lot of people showing up and coming to give support, including family, friends, and people we didn’t know.”
Kelly Johnson summed up the importance of Howdy Vaquera to the community: “We are very much an ag community, aren’t we? That’s what drives the economy here. People have horses, people have cattle, and it’s really just the motif of our area.”
Next time you’re in downtown Blair, make sure to stop by Howdy Vaquera Western Boutique. Whether you’re a long-time western wear enthusiast or new to the style, you’re sure to find something special in this charming local gem. You can also follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok under the name “Howdy Vaquera” to stay updated on their latest offerings.
As Kelly Johnson put it, “Come on out, help them grow, help them get started, and again, support local.” Let’s all do our part to help this new Blair business flourish and continue providing a valuable service to our community. After all, supporting local businesses like Howdy Vaquera isn’t just good for our wardrobes – it’s good for Blair.
Visit Howdy Vaquera Western Boutique at 1546 Washington Street in Blair, Nebraska.
