Random Retail: Cimarron Pottery, how the second Garden Ridge location became a Broken Chain

Howdy Folks, a quick introduction for some of our newer readers. Sometimes things I come across while researching don’t exactly fit into the purview of a regular HHR post. However, it’s still an interesting enough story, so I’m publishing it under the Random Retail Series. Today, we’re discussing how the launch of Garden Ridge inadvertently created a competitor through a broken chain—also shoutout to Aaron J. of Carbon-izer, who recently reminded me of this story.

Broken Chain– (Noun) A chain that at some point has split its operations into independent operations. “The Gibson’s in Kerrville doesn’t operate in conjuction with the others, it’s a Broken Chain”

Garden Ridge Store #1, Schertz, Circa 2007, TX Photo used with permission: Silver Creek 78250

Garden Ridge Pottery was founded right here in Texas in 1979. While most folks know the chain by its more modern name, At Home, the first location was in a suburb of San Antonio on I-35 south of the actual town of Garden Ridge, although technically within the city limits of nearby Schertz. This initial store wouldn’t resemble its later counterparts’ “dead mall” styling. Instead, they opted to open the first location in a vacant warehouse. The company’s name was initially a bit more verbose as “Garden Ridge Pottery and World Imports,” reflecting the wide range of items available in the store. While their bread and butter were home goods and pottery, they often also featured imported closeout goods. While initially occupying less than one-quarter of the warehouse space, by the mid-1980s, Garden Ridge had expanded to fill the entire building. In 1985, the second Garden Ridge location held its grand opening. This new store would not be in Texas, but rather in Yukon, Oklahoma, a suburb of Oklahoma City. Despite being in a purpose-built location, the building was nearly identical to the existing Garden Ridge. Matching its warehouse-style building and billboard signage. One of the people involved in opening the new store was a gentleman named John Rabon. Mr. Rabon had been based in the New Braunfels area since the 1980s, supplying kitchen and bath accessories, and was brought on as a partner in the new operations. By 1986, he was the president of the company. Rabon would relocate from Texas to Oklahoma to take on the role of manager of this gigantic outlet.

Garden Ridge Store #2 Yukon, Oklahoma Photo Source: Loop Net Listing

In 1987, Rabon would be offered the chance to buy out Eric White and become the sole owner of Garden Ridge’s Oklahoma location. There was, however, a catch. White still planned on expanding Garden Ridge, and Rabon would have to change the name of his store. Modifying it to Cimarron Pottery and World Imports, Rabon would continue to sell the same merchandise, in the otherwise identical building. Following the breakaway, the new company experienced rapid success. Even adding on a Greenhouse for the sale of live plants, something the Texas chain did not feature. Building on its popularity, Cimarron Pottery would eventually add two more locations in the Oklahoma City area, bringing its total to three locations. The chain would open its first out-of-state branch store in Missouri in 1988. Located as a co-anchor in a Wal-Mart strip center, this store would also be immensely popular and well-remembered by locals. In 1991, the expansion continued with the grand opening of the first Texas Cimarron Pottery location, situated in an Arlington Outlet Mall. Two years later, the company would return to its roots, renting actual warehouse space in Dallas.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

A look inside the Oklahoma Store during its stint as Statuary World in the 2000s. Photos sourced from Foursquare

Despite their early success, Cimarron Pottery and World Imports was no match for the behemoth that Garden Ridge had become since the two chains had parted ways. While Rabon and White had remained good business partners in the first years after the split, new ownership had since bought out Garden Ridge, and there was no longer a cordial relationship between the two companies. By the early 90s, Garden Ridge had already reentered Oklahoma, and by 1995, a new location was being planned just down the freeway from the original Garden Ridge #2. By 1994, Cimarron Pottery closed its Missouri Operations and one of its Oklahoma stores. Leaving a total of four locations across Texas and Oklahoma. In late 1995, Cimarron Pottery entered into bankruptcy and closed its Texas locations. Only a few months later, the store would be reduced to its original location, which had announced its intent to close. The store would enter a liquidation sale that would last for over a year, eventually prompting an investigation. Around 2002 or so, another store would finally open up named “Statuary World Patio and Fireside”. The new store would offer a limited selection of statues, outdoor decor, and furniture, reminiscent of the old store. Stuary World wouldn’t last that long, and for many years the building would remain vacant until it was finally redeveloped as warehouse space.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

A look inside Garden Ridge #1 in the late 2000s. Photos sourced from Foursquare