Baskins Store Manager in Tyler Retires
After 24 Years On The Job

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Tyler, Texas – January 30, 2012 – They call him Mr. Smith.

Over the years, 24 to be exact, in managing the Baskins western wear store in Tyler, Grover Smith takes the “Mr.” part as a sign of respect.

“Working anywhere that long, you get to know your customers and your co-workers very well,” says Mr. Smith, who officially retired last Saturday, Jan 28 at age 74. “There’s a lot of friendship and mutual respect.”

Mr. Smith opened the Baskins store at 4530 South Broadway in Tyler back in 1988 and has managed it the entire time with his wife, Nancy, by his side.

“She’s been a real support at the store and I couldn’t have done it without her,” Mr. Smith says. While he has greeted customers and tended to various aspects of the business, Delores has handled the “operations end of things,” including computer work, he says. She will continue working there for the time being.

The Baskins chain of stores opened in 1972 in Trinity, Texas, with the service philosophy of “neighbors helping neighbors.” Baskins is a one-stop-shopping experience, with more than 14 different departments featured in each store. Justin, Tony Lama and Ariat and more are among the name brands that fill rows and rows of boot inventory. Brands like Resistol and Stetson hats cover an entire wall. And with Wrangler, Cinch, Levi’s and others, Baskins is the jeans headquarters. Whether it’s flame resistant work wear (very popular in Tyler) or gear for the ranch, Baskins offers a vast selection of clothing to fit any work environment.

Including the Tyler location, Baskins has grown to 22 stores, mostly across East Texas, with nearly 300 employees and revenues in excess of $35 million.