Shopping

For South Austin shoppers who would rather browse cowboy boots, denim and Western wear closer to home, a familiar Texas retailer appears to be headed their way.

Cavender’s is planning a substantial new retail project at SouthPark Meadows, the sprawling shopping destination along Interstate 35 in South Austin. A recently filed state construction registration identifies a 33,676-square-foot Cavender’s project at 9600 S. I-35 Frontage Road, Suite 14, Austin, TX 78748, which was formerly Party City, with an estimated construction cost of $1.55 million.

The project adds another recognizable Texas name to the retail mix in one of South Austin’s busiest commercial corridors and would give residents in communities across South Austin, Manchaca, Buda and the surrounding area another nearby option for Western clothing, cowboy boots and workwear.

What is planned for the Cavender’s at SouthPark Meadows?

According to project information filed with the state, the SouthPark Meadows Cavender’s project is classified as a renovation and alteration of an existing mercantile space.

Work is expected to include new floor and wall finishes, exterior signage and decorative elements, new fixtures, demolition of existing interior partitions and construction of new walls. Existing utilities are expected to remain in place.

The filing lists an anticipated construction start date of Oct. 15, 2026, with completion projected for Feb. 26, 2027.

The approximately $1.55 million renovation covers 33,676 square feet, giving the retailer a sizable footprint at the shopping center.

The project was registered in September with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Construction filings provide an early look at planned commercial projects but do not necessarily establish when a business will open to customers. As of Sept. 19, Cavender’s had not announced a grand opening date for the SouthPark Meadows location.

For residents searching for information about Cavender’s SouthPark Meadows opening date, the February date listed in the filing refers to anticipated completion of construction rather than a confirmed retail opening.

A Texas company with more than 60 years of Western roots

Cavender’s connection to Texas runs much deeper than its familiar storefronts.

James and Patricia “Pat” Cavender founded the company in 1965 in Pittsburg, Texas, beginning with a small clothing business and just three styles of Tony Lama cowboy boots. Those boots sold, the selection grew, and the family business eventually expanded far beyond its East Texas beginnings.

More than six decades later, Cavender’s remains family operated and has grown into one of the country's largest Western wear retailers. Current company information says the chain has expanded to more than 130 stores in more than 18 states.

That growth has come while keeping Western footwear at the center of the business.

Cavender’s stores carry cowboy boots, Western shirts, jeans, hats, belts, work boots, workwear, accessories and apparel for men, women and children. The retailer carries nationally recognized Western brands including Ariat, Wrangler, Stetson and Resistol, along with exclusive Cavender’s lines including Rafter C, Rockin’ C and JRC & Sons.

The company has also built its reputation around the in-store experience that comes with buying Western gear, including services such as boot fitting, hat shaping and boot stretching at its stores.

For customers who work outdoors as well as those shopping for Western fashion, Cavender’s also carries specialized work clothing and footwear. Its workwear selection includes brands such as Wrangler, Ariat, Carhartt and Justin, along with safety and protective footwear designed for industries ranging from agriculture to oilfield work.

Cavender’s already has deep roots around Austin

The SouthPark Meadows project would expand a Cavender’s presence that is already well established across the greater Austin area.

Cavender’s currently operates an Austin store at 4435 S. Lamar Blvd., along with nearby locations at 5001 183A Toll Road in Cedar Park, 220 Bass Pro Drive in Round Rock and 4331 I-35 South in San Marcos, according to the retailer’s store directory.

The Cedar Park store marked an important milestone for the company when it became Cavender’s 100th store, reflecting just how much the family-owned retailer had grown from its small East Texas beginnings.

A SouthPark Meadows store would place Cavender’s much farther south within Austin than its existing South Lamar location and directly along the I-35 corridor traveled daily by residents of South Austin and communities stretching toward Hays County.

Why SouthPark Meadows matters for South Austin shoppers

For residents south of downtown Austin, location may be one of the more significant parts of the project.

SouthPark Meadows serves as a major retail hub along I-35 near Slaughter Lane, drawing shoppers from South Austin as well as nearby communities such as Manchaca, Buda and Kyle. A full-size Cavender’s there could reduce the distance some shoppers currently travel for Western boots, ranch clothing and workwear.

The project also reflects Cavender’s continued investment in the region at a time when the once-small Texas retailer has grown into a multistate company without abandoning the Western merchandise that built its name.

Cavender’s describes boots as the roots of its business, and its company history traces decades of growth through changes in Western fashion, from the cowboy boot boom of the “Urban Cowboy” era to the broader popularity of Western lifestyle apparel today. The Cavender family was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2019.

What happens next at SouthPark Meadows?

If the construction schedule proceeds as filed, renovation work on the SouthPark Meadows space is expected to begin Oct. 15 and continue into late February 2027.

A construction completion date, however, is not the same as a grand opening date. Retail stores commonly require additional work such as merchandise installation, employee hiring, inspections and final preparations before opening their doors.

For now, the filing gives South Austin residents their clearest indication yet of what is planned: a 33,676-square-foot Cavender’s at SouthPark Meadows backed by approximately $1.55 million in renovations.

For a Texas retailer that began with three styles of cowboy boots more than 60 years ago, another Austin-area location would be one more step in a long expansion story, this time bringing the brand closer to thousands of residents along South Austin’s fast-growing I-35 corridor.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for updates on the Cavender’s SouthPark Meadows project, construction progress and an official opening date when additional details are announced.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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