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Cowboys and Angels reopens on South Green Street after fire; owner credits community support
Summary
Cowboys and Angels, a western boutique owned by Joanne Nicks, reopened a downtown Tehachapi storefront after a September fire destroyed merchandise at the previous location. Nicks said a community GoFundMe and local fundraisers helped her reopen in early December at 107 South Green Street.
Cowboys and Angels, a western boutique owned by Joanne Nicks, reopened a downtown Tehachapi storefront in December after a September fire at her previous location, Nicks said.
“I had a fire at the old location on Sept. 20,” Nicks said. “Within a week, some friends put together a GoFundMe page, and that gave me enough money to pay my rents, to get some more merchandise in because my insurance didn't cover my merchandise.”
Nicks said she took possession of the new Green Street location on Dec. 6 and that community fundraising — including a benefit organized by Tehachapi Winery and collections by local businesses — helped cover losses not paid by insurance.
The boutique sells western apparel and accessories, Nicks said, including Myra bags, hats, fine jewelry by Dawn Jones Designs, and plans to carry Wrangler apparel and higher-end hat brands such as Stetson. She described the store as a small downtown space that benefits from increased foot traffic, and said she expects to use outside storage as inventory needs grow.
Nicks said she holds a Sip and Shop every other Friday from 4 to 8 p.m., plans to participate in downtown events including the chamber’s Wine Walk on Feb. 15, and typically takes booths at farmers markets and seasonal festivals. She gave the store address as 107 South Green Street and a phone number of (661) 771-7185; she also lists the business on Facebook as “Cowboys and Angels of Tehachapi” and on Instagram.
Hours are currently tentative as Nicks adjusts to downtown rhythms: she said she is open Wednesday–Friday 11 a.m.–5 p.m. and Saturday–Sunday 10 a.m.–3 p.m., with plans to extend evening hours as daylight and customer traffic increase.
Claire Scottie, executive director of the Greater Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber encouraged downtown businesses to participate in community events and that Cowboys and Angels is one of multiple new or returning storefronts joining event routes this year.
Nicks, who said she has been a business owner for about 30 years and ran a location in Texas for two years, credited local neighbors, businesses and volunteers with supporting her reopening in Tehachapi.
