Our History

Scott Colburn Boots and Western Wear

1940s

Our roots trace back to the era of Henry Ford. Scott Colburn worked alongside Ford’s personal dance master, Benjamin Lovette, on a Ford-sponsored initiative to introduce early American dance, including square dancing, into local schools. He went on to become Michigan’s first full-time square dance caller, traveling across the state. In 1949, Scott founded the Michigan Square Dance Leaders Association and later published the Michigan Square Dance News.

1950s

In 1951, Scott started selling square dance records and Western ties from the trunk of his car as he traveled to events. He eventually opened his first storefront on Grand River in Detroit, broadening his inventory to include Western apparel along with records and ties. A few years later, he relocated to a 2,500-square-foot space at Grand River and Hubbell in Northwest Detroit, establishing himself as a pioneer of Western wear in the metro Detroit area.

1960s and 1970s

In 1965, Scott moved the store to Farmington and expanded the inventory to include tack. The downtown Farmington location is still fondly remembered by many customers as their go-to spot for jeans, Dickies painter pants, fringe coats, and Frye boots. A popular saying at the time was, “At Scott Colburn Saddlery, we carry everything but the horse.”

1980s and 1990s

In 1978, Scott opened a new 12,000-square-foot store at 8 Mile and Farmington Road in Livonia. The store attracted a surge of new customers during the “Urban Cowboy” craze of the early 1980s and was rediscovered in the early 1990s by line dancers enjoying Brooks & Dunn and Garth Brooks. While the store had originally focused on cowboys, horseback riders, and horses, the growing popularity of Western culture among women prompted a major expansion of offerings, including clothing, boots, jewelry, purses, and gift items.

2000s

Scott’s daughter, Sarah, has carried forward her father’s pioneering vision, building a successful second-generation, family-owned business. As Scott explained, “What keeps us in business despite the economy is that we have established ourselves. People know we’re here. When they come in, we take care of them. They get service and a soft sell, and they appreciate it.” Detroit HOUR Magazine honored us as the “Best Western Store,” and Sarah and her family take pride in continuing Scott’s legacy of running “the best darn Western store this side of the Mississippi!”