The Buckle is off and running in Owensboro, with store manager Dyann Duncan calling the reception “a true blessing” since opening day on Nov. 6.
“We’ve been very well-received,” Duncan said. “We’ve been told several times, ‘This is exactly what Owensboro needed.’”
Located off KY 54 in Gateway Commons, the fashion retailer offers clothing and accessories for men, women, and children — including a large kids’ section Duncan said she specifically requested before taking over the store.
“We go all the way down to 2T, and we have sizes for mature adults as well,” she said. “We can literally outfit the whole family.”
Originally from north of Kansas City, Duncan said she applied for the Owensboro store when it became available, competing against other managers for the opportunity.
“I was blessed with it,” she said. “The people and the community were very enticing. Owensboro is a growing town, and people were wanting stores like this.”
Founded in 1967 in Kearney, Nebraska, The Buckle has grown from a small-town denim shop to a national brand known as a “denim destination.” According to Duncan, the store offers everything from jeans and Western wear to Y2K styles and glitz for the holidays.
The store features Buckle’s in-house brands like BKE and Buckle Black, along with Rock Revival, Salvage, Hidden, Outpost, Levi’s, and Wrangler. Free alterations are offered in-house, with jeans available up to a 38-inch length.
“If you have a hard-to-find size, we can help,” Duncan said. “And if you want something shorter, we’ll sew them up and have them back to you in a few days.”
Courtney Thomason, a professional stylist at the Owensboro store, said guest service is a top priority — and that stylists aim to develop relationships with customers over time.
“We want to help people find something for their next concert, family photo, or big event,” Thomason said. “It’s not just a young person’s store. It’s for everybody.”
The store is split between men’s and women’s sections, with the back dedicated to children’s clothing. Popular denim fits are sorted by rise and leg style, and the store also features seasonal offerings like swimwear and thermals, accessories like hats and jewelry, and outerwear including Sherpa-lined jackets and denim staples.
Among the standout brands are the Peyton and Tyler lines, known for athletic and slimmer fits, and Buckle exclusives like Maven and Sterling & Stitch.
“We carry styles that are more Western, but also have tons of versatile everyday wear,” Thomason said. “Some of these are great for work, others for going out or just lounging.”
Duncan said her team is made up of local employees she personally selected, all trained as professional stylists.
“We try to call people by name and create an experience,” she said. “When you shop with us, we want it to feel personal.”
The Owensboro Buckle is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.
“We’ll put you in a fitting room, get a sense of what you like, and maybe even help you discover something you didn’t expect to love,” she said.
The Chamber Member of the Week program is a Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce membership benefit. Founded in 1913, the Chamber has worked to provide valuable benefits and services to member businesses and individuals for over a century.
Today, with nearly 1,000 members, the Chamber is a guiding force in community and business development initiatives and serves as the center of business advocacy for the Greater Owensboro region.
To learn more about becoming the Chamber Member of the Week or inquire about Chamber membership, contact Kitty Jones, director of membership, at 270-926-1860 or kjones@owensboro.com.
By John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times