Growing tack business opens downtown shop

Bob and Sharon Harvey have opened the Cowboy Up Tack shop on the 100 block of East Third.
(Courtesy photo)

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Proof of this is provided by a growing McCook business, Cowboy Up Tack. "The cowboy life has been a passion of mine since I was a young boy on a ranch in Banner County," said Bob Harvey. That's why -- in 2002 -- Bob jumped at the chance to start a cowboy tack business.

"Tom Kiplinger suggested the idea to me. He knew I loved horses so he asked me to start selling tack at horse shows and roping events," Bob said.

Since that time, Bob and his wife, Sharon, have never looked back. They started with just a few items -- cinches, head stalls and bridle reins -- but that changed quickly. Now, the Harveys have such a large inventory that they have moved into a retail store and storage building in the 100 block of East Third Street in McCook.

"Our business has quadrupled," Bob said. "The trailer wasn't big enough. We had to expand to have a place for the increased inventory."

The Harveys' store space -- rented from Doak Construction -- is packed with all types of ropes, saddles, pads and other cowboy tack, as well as western jewelry selected and marketed by Sharon.

Sharon, the former principal at Southwest Elementary School, is on duty at Cowboy Tack from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. While she staffs the store, Bob is at work as the brand inspector for Southwest Nebraska.

On weekends, the Harveys can often be found at riding and roping events. "We take our tack trailer to events throughout the area," Bob said. "We go all over the place," Bob explained, mentioning trips to Wallace, Curtis, North Platte and Lexington as examples.

"Here at home you can find us at all the big events at the Kiplinger Arena," the Harveys said. "People like Tom Kiplinger, the Nokes brothers and the Lapp family have been very supportive of our business."

A turning point in the Harveys' business life came when they took a Tri-Edge course in Curtis. "The class provided us with good information for operating our business," they said. "Jeff Tidyman, Duffy Keller and Rex Nelson did an excellent job of presenting the course."

Sue Shaner, business coach for the McCook Economic Development Corp., agrees. "What I want everyone in our area to know is that help is available for anyone who wants to start or grow a business," she said. "Call me at 340-2698 and I'll do all I can to help with your business idea."

Shaner's role as a business coach is funded in part by a grant from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. The grant is administered by the Nebraska Rural Development Commission.

To be inspired to take action, Shaner said you need to look no further than the Harveys and Cowboy Tack.

"Bob and Sharon have shown what can be accomplished if you have a business idea and a passion to fill this area's need for quality products and services," she said.

-- Gene O. Morris is a free lance writer based in McCook. He may be reached by e-mail at geneomorris@yahoo.com or by phone at (308) 340-5972.