Family Works: Patton’s Western Wear

by Kerry Andersen

The Patton family opened their first western store in 2007 in Ruston, Louisiana and things grew at a rapid pace from there. By the end of 2009, this now iconic Louisiana family business expanded operations into the Lake Charles market followed quickly by a second Ruston location and a large shop inside the Pierremont Mall in Shreveport. This summer marks their 16th year in business. Throughout this quick growth, two themes were peristent: God and family.

Patton’s is owned and operated by five of the seven Patton brothers: Harvey, twins Robert and Thomas, Patrick, and David. Three of the brothers worked previously for several western retailers and had the idea of opening their own store, and thus a family business was born. The brothers take a hands-on approach to every aspect of the operation with a focus on quality and diverse products. Their business achievements come from a combination of hard work and God’s grace. In fact, you’ll find faith closely intertwined in their business practices and even the company motto – “God is good! Shop at Patton’s!”

Harvey Patton handles accounting, marketing and Southern Lifestyle buying for the company. “We’re Christians and we try every day to show the love of Jesus Christ to those we come into contact with,” he says. “Our faith guides every decision that we make and shapes our approach to our employees, vendors, and customers. We get to enjoy running a business that allows us to meet people from all walks of life and different cultures; it always comes back to the people for us!”

Patton’s growth has come so quickly that several times they’ve had to move to a larger facility in the same city to meet growing demand. For example, they outgrew their Lake Charles location in 2009 and relocated to their current location, increasing their retail space by 9,000 square feet. In the fall of 2020, Patton’s filled a huge need in the community following the retirement of Jim Cotton. They acquired all his equipment and added an in-house shoe and boot repair facility to their already thriving Lake Charles store.

The Patton brothers owe their love of the western lifestyle and dedication to faith to their father. Harvey H. Patton III was an accomplished rodeo cowboy all the way back to his college days. However, it’s a focus on modern business practices that has guided them to success. The stores carry not only almost every major western brand, but also a mix of popular fashion brands that cross over traditional lines – there’s something for every customer. Patton’s was the first western store in the country to expand into non-western brands like Drake and Columbia, and one of the first western retailers to hold brand relationships with Southern Marsh, Patagonia, and North Face.

The emergence of online shopping has created some unique challenges for the brothers. The very vendors they represent in their stores have now become one of their largest competitors, as most brands now operate direct-to-consumer websites of their own. Patton’s stays competitive by focusing on diverse inventory, personalized service, and curating an assortment of products that appeal to people in the communities they serve. Mixing brands from different areas of distribution has been well received and keeps customers coming back for more. The company also supports countless local organizations through sponsorships of youth rodeos, fundraising banquets, and other events.

Patton’s is located at 3620 Ryan Street in Lake Charles and is open Monday – Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM and weekends from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. There are additional locations in Ruston and Shreveport. Visit www.shoppattons.com for more information or find them on Instagram and Facebook.