Tall Tales and Big Boots

The year was 1996. Tumbleweeds blew across what would one day be called The Pearl in Portland, Oregon. It was here, in this up-and-coming urban frontier, that a legend was born — the legend of Desperado.

Here’s a look at some great moments in Desperado history.

November 1996

Big-city country-gal Joanne Sunnarborg opens Desperado Western Store in downtown Portland. One week later 
Joanne begins therapy for being crazy enough to open a western store in downtown Portland.

December 1996

First pair of custom boots sold. (Not counting the staff who had stumbled over each other to order theirs the minute the store opened.)

May 2006

Our first overseas order went to Princess Floria Hessen of Kronberg, Germany. Wonder if she has a tiara to match.

July 2006

Oregon Public Broadcasting’s “Art Beat” filmed our First Thursday musician Suze Spencer Marshall at the store. Cool western-wear and classic western guitar — what a pair.

January 2007

Academy-Award Winner William Hurt stops by and orders some custom boots. Why go Hollywood when you can go Desperado!

October 2007

Joanne and trusty saddle pal, Sid venture over the mountains to Central Oregon to open Desperado in the Old Mill in Bend, Oregon.