By Lisa Carolin
Mule Skinner Boots and Western Wear celebrated its opening in a new location at 112 North Main St. on Feb. 5 with the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce and a ribbon cutting ceremony, and again on Feb. 6 during Chocolate Extravaganza with a live broadcast from WAAM Radio and a band.
The store has been a big draw in Chelsea since it opened in 1973, and it spent the last 19 years at 118 South Main St. When the bigger space became available, Pam and Bill Conn made the decision to move.
“We didn’t own the other space,” said Pam Conn. “This is five feet wider, which adds up. It feels a lot bigger.”
The Conns have increased the amount of inventory and redid all the shelving.
“We have a lot of different style boots, Rockmount Ranch Wear high-end dress shirts, and more lady’s jewelry,” said Pam Conn. “Bill has his own place to work and design holsters in the new space.”
He previously had to do that at home and says he’s excited to be able to do his work at the shop.
“We finally have some breathing room and won’t have to do everything at the front counter,” said Pam Conn.
The store is known for its hand-crafted boots (Western, Cowgirl, motorcycle, hiking, work and winter boots) and hand-made accessories made in the U.S.
Pam Conn says that they’ve been welcomed by many of their new neighbors.
Mule Skinner Boots’ hours are Wednesdays-Saturdays 11 a.m-8 p.m. and Sundays noon-4 p.m.
