Joe's Boot Shop was one of the big sponsors of the "Duke of the Dutch Oven" Chuck Wagon Cook-Off last Saturday in Clovis. I saw the owner of the shop, Joe Rhodes, greeting everyone at the cowboy breakfast the following morning. He was so kind-hearted and concerned for everyone's welfare, I wanted to know a little bit more about him and his boot shop.
It seems that Joe started selling boots out of his West Texas garage back when he was a young man working in a feed yard. He and his wife, Darla, moved the business first to Muleshoe, TX, and then to Clovis, New Mexico in 2001. You can see the signs for Joe's long before you see signs for Clovis, and every one of them proclaims that the shop features "16,000 pairs of boots, 10,000 hats, 12,000 belts and thousands of western apparel and jewelry products" and they aren't exaggerating. In addition to the incredible array of boots (see a photo here) in every color and type of leather from ostrich to stingray, there are saddles and home furnishings, as well.
Joe gives a lot back to his community and supports and encourages the Western way of life. For that commitment his business was given a VIVA award by the Association of Commerce and Industry (VIVA stands for vision, investment, vitality and action) in 2006.Joe's place is known in the community for the events that they put on during the year, including the recent Calf-Roping contest at the Curry County Fairgrounds, a big 4th of July celebration, and an annual Christmas Open House. When you walk through the door, you are greeted kind of like family, by the friendliest people you'll ever meet. It's a place that feels like home, and you'll want to go back again and again. 
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