A Family Tradition for Over 70 years: Nigro’s Western Store
Tony Nigro, David Nigro Sr.’s father, in front of Nigro’s Western Store.
The origins of Nigro’s Western Store date back to 1956 when David Nigro Sr.’s grandfather opened the doors to a livery barn in Merriam, Kansas that provided saddles and tack to horsemen – and simultaneously operated a fresh produce delivery business. The saddle and tack business was a success, so much so that the Nigro’s gradually added even more items for the working cowboy – including cowboy boots, hats, denim, and more. Over the decades the livery barn transitioned into a large-scale retail operation that included a full range of western wear – for both men and women.
During the early years of the livery business, Tony Nigro, the father of David Nigro, Sr., operated a thriving horse auction house in nearby Bonner Springs, Kansas. David Sr.’s brother, George, followed in father Tony’s footsteps, taking up an interest in the auction business, so much so that he enrolled in the Missouri Auction School, and became one of the institution’s youngest graduates.
(The auction blood definitely runs deep in the Nigro family; in fact, David Nigro Sr. and brother George Nigro remain actively involved in the auctioneering community in the Kansas City area to this day, donating their time in hosting over 180 charity auctions annually for a wide variety of not-for-profit causes.)
From left: David Jr., Anita, David Sr., and Serena.
In the 1960s, David Nigro Sr. opened his own feed and tack business, running it for five years before returning to the family’s original store, dedicating himself to the growth and success of Nigro’s Western Store #1.
Along the journey, David Sr.’s own family became part of the Nigro family business – including David’s wife, Anita, and two of their children, son David Jr. (known as L.D.) and daughter Serena. L.D. has become Nigro’s resident boot expert and cowboy hat shaper while Serena works with mother Anita in developing Nigro’s women’s western wear collections and running Nigro’s social media accounts.
On any given day it’s not unusual to find the four Nigros working side-by-side, helping customers in the retail store while simultaneously operating the busy online store, which has become a national – and international – extension of Kansas City’s finest western store.
For 70+ years Nigro’s Western Store has been a must-visit destination for western wear enthusiasts across the Midwest. Now, thanks to the internet, Nigro’s reach has expanded even further. NigrosWesternStore.com has allowed western wear enthusiasts hundreds (and even thousands) of miles away to browse Nigro’s extensive inventory from the comfort of home.
From cowboy boots from brands like Rios of Mercedes and Anderson Bean to high-quality felt and straw cowboy hats from Resistol and Rodeo King to denim from Ariat, Wrangler, Levis, and more, to work and fashion apparel, to outerwear, belts, and just about every manner of accessories, chances are if its western wear, it’s available 24/7 from Nigros online store.
Although today’s technology makes it easy to shop Nigro’s from hundreds of miles away, the importance of the personal touch remains very important to David Nigro Sr. And, since one of David Sr’s. job titles is shipping manager, he has the authority – and the passion – to include a personal, handwritten “thank you” note in each and every order shipped from Nigro’s Western Store to the home of each and every valued customer.
