January 28, 2014

Saddle Up is newest addition to South Park

By Kate Ruggles
Farmer Staff Writer

The Saddle Up Western Wear store has resided in the basement of the American Legion Club building for almost two years. On Monday, Jan. 20, however, the store’s doors opened in a new location between Mailbox Solutions and Z Wireless in the South Park Plaza development.
“It was a busy weekend,” states Mark Sparby, the store’s owner. “And it is hard to believe that we had all the product that is displayed in our new location in our old store.”
Sparby has lived in Watford City for three years. He is a Loan Officer at First International Bank & Trust and his wife, Dori, works for McKenzie County. They opened the Saddle Up store roughly two years ago, after packing the store up from its former location in Minnesota and hauling it to western North Dakota.
According to Sparby, the reception his store received in the basement of the American Legion building was better than he could have imagined.
“We have been so busy that we have just grown out of our store’s current location,” states Sparby. “It is very exciting.”
Sparby is encouraging everyone to come by and check out his new store.
“People do not even have to come and buy anything. We just want them to stop by and check us out,” states Sparby. “They will see things in our new store that they never saw in our old location, simply because there was so much hidden inventory in our old store.”
Sparby states that his new store will house the same departments as his Main Street location. It will just be more accessible and more easily visible.
Saddle Up sells men’s, women’s and children’s western dress, as well as boots and apparel. Sparby states that his store carries the modern western fashions, as well as the more traditional line. And they sell western saddles and tack.
In addition, the South Park Plaza store will have a kids corral, where people can purchase western toys and accessories for kids.
“We have been busy since opening in South Park. The men are still coming in, but we are also seeing more women,” states Sparby. “The new store has a completely different atmosphere. It is bright and really appealing.”
Sparby also states that his pricing in the oilfield is the same as it was in his Minnesota location.
Though Saddle Up Western Wear has opened in a new location that does not mean it has moved from its Main Street spot. According to Sparby, though the Main Street store will be closed for two months, he hopes to open it in the spring and continue to serve his customers in both locations.
“The American Legion will take the next two months and update the space,” states Sparby. “When they are done, we will make the Main Street Saddle Up store more of a work and outdoor apparel store that will also house discount western dress.
Saddle up is currently open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
Also new to open in South Park is Sparby’s neighbor, Mailbox Solutions.
The Mailbox Solutions store opened on Jan. 7, according to its owner, David VanAssche. He refers to the opening as a soft opening, because the store’s interior is still being completed.
“I don’t have a sign up yet, but people are starting to find us,” states VanAssche. “It is exciting.”
Currently, his store offers packing and shipping services, along with some printing and copying.
“I already have three dozen mailboxes rented, and they should arrive in a week,” states VanAssche.
The draw with the Mailbox Solutions store, according to VanAssche, is that it can become a one-stop shop for people conducting business in a mobile location.
“Anyone doing business out here who is working out of their home or their vehicle, rather than an office, can come here, get their mail, make copies, pack and ship items, use our faxing services and print anything they might need.”
VanAssche states that his equipment has the ability to print blueprints and full-color items. He is also the only business in the area that ships hazardous materials. VanAssche also offers overnight or same-day shipping.
Additionally, the store will offer passport photos, text message notifications to mailbox customers, notary services, money order sales and postal and FedEx shipping, along with letters and flat envelopes.
According to Oppidan, the next businesses to open near Sparby will be the American Smoke Wagon restaurant, a Taco John’s and a Tractor Supply Company. Jay Moore of Oppidan states that those businesses will open in the next few months.
As for Sparby, he states that he is excited for his new store to be near so much additional retail.
“I think we will be good for each other,” states Sparby. “I think people may come to one store and stop into another to check it out.”
Sparby states that he will not have a Grand Opening until the spring, when he can invite the local ranchers in for a branding party. He hopes to make that happen in April.

WATFORD CITY WEATHER