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Cody Courtney said the only logical thing to do after running a hat shop in Texas was to open a boot store—and that's exactly what he did.
In 2023, Courtney opened Gruene Boot Company in the historic district of New Braunfels.
The idea for Gruene Boot Company came after customers purchased hats at Gruene Hat Company.
“The natural question for them was, 'Where can I get a pair of boots?” Courtney said.
So, he decided purchase more space in the H. D. Gruene Mercantile building to start selling boots.
Courtney said there are hundreds of boots to choose from for men, women and children.
“There’s about 10 total brands that we carry, but for the most part, they’re all pretty much traditional cowboy boots,” he said.
Gruene Boot Company sells Azulado and Ariat boots—which are made from rawhide leather—and a selection of Horse Power boots—made from ostrich and caiman skin.
“We’ve got ankle boots for women and long, tall tops that go up to the knees for men,” Courtney said.
Customers can also have their own designs branded onto their new boots at no extra cost. These illustrations include company logos, scenic designs and even custom drawings that wrap around the shaft of the boot, Courtney said.
Courtney said the most enjoyable part about owning both a vintage hat and a boot store is seeing people get their first pair of cowboy boots and getting to experience true Texas style and flair.
“When customers get their first pair, there’s a lot of joy in seeing that,” Courtney said.
