Emporium Western Store Over 100 Years Strong

November 29, 2016 by John Leave a Comment

The early days at the Emporium.

Emporium Western Store

On today’s show, we talk to someone in our own backyard, Bakersfield California. Stephen Goldwater’s Emporium Western Store has been a downtown fixture for over 100 years.

While it’s not exactly certain who initially established the store in 1909 – let’s face it, those records are hard to find -my research discovered Abraham Chain and Samuel Cohen owned the store in 1926.

Arnold Rojas in his books about the early Vaqueros talked about the how the early cowhands got paid on a monthly basis and frequently bought a pair of new jeans around payday. Many of the hard working vaqueros couldn’t afford to have their jeans washed and cleaned. At the time, denim would shrink when washed and the vaqueros bought the size that fit them. Then, at the end of the month, they came in for a new pair and threw the old ones away. If you are not familiar with the Vaquero books, they tell the story of the early cowhands in the central valley. If you are familiar, you may enjoy learning that Mr. Rojas’s wrote many of his books in the back room of the Emporium Western Store.

Its’ a cool experience walking through the Emporium Western Store. Jeans of all colors, styles, and sizes are stacked along the walls. There is an incredible selection of boots and when I asked about a particular style, I was told the back room holds about 2,000 pairs.

While the store had been in at least two other locations, the current location was originally built to be a bank. There is an ample parking lot where the store will regularly stage live music events. The walls are covered with memorabilia of years of service to the community. Many celebrities have stopped into the store to shop over the years including Buck Owens.

About Us

Welcome to the Whoa Podcast about Horses and Horsemanship. I am your host John Harrer. Each week on the show we talk about some aspect of owning a horse. From feeding or supplementation to bits and bridles, tack, or cowboy boots, we cover training problems, or competing in shows. We talk about the Western/ Cowboy lifestyle in movies, books and magazine articles. And, we travel to places we think you would like to take your horse. That’s what the Whoa Podcast is all about.

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Thanks for listening,

John & Ranae

Episode #80

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The Life of Mustang Man Bobby Kerr

September 8, 2016 by John 1 Comment

Bobby Kerr, The Mustang Man

We have a good story for you today. Bobby Kerr, the Mustang Man lives his life. Bobby came to town for the Tehachapi Mountain Rodeo, a PRCA event. Since Bobby works with mustangs and has started many horses. I’ve started one, my wild Oak Creek horse, Scratch. My friend and rodeo announcer Dal Bunn knows I’m always looking to learn more and he invited Scratch and me to meet Bobby at the rodeo grounds. I rode with Bobby in the morning. He has smooth hands and works his horses with apparent ease. Bobby was generous with his time and even rode Scratch. He complimented us on the work we had done, then gave me some pointers to help us get better.

Performing over 100 times a year, Bobby travels across the country entertaining rodeo fans everywhere. His act includes both dogs and horses, along with the props for his show. I sat down with Bobby and talked about his journey through horsemanship.

From his first experience with the 4 B Wild West Show, how he ran away at age fourteen, and then how his friend and bit maker, Jeff Payne got him interested in the Mustang Makeover, Bobby Kerr tells the story of his life with horses.

Bobby Kerr makes horsemanship look easy. His horses glide and go wherever he asks. Listening to Bobby tell his story led me to believe there is no secret to his magic. He wanted to be a cowboy and ride a horse since he was twelve. A cowboy gets the job done, some way, some how, often with little money and a lot of imagination and ingenuity. It’s fitting that he is now linked to the American Mustang. The two have survived the harsh environment of the west by making magic together.