Revitalizing Small Business with the Return of “Slap-out”

By Cheri Lane

Special to The Navco Chronicle

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Hubbard is right in the heart, or more specifically in the top center, of the greater metro-region known as the Texas Triangle or the Tex-a-plex, which encompasses Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas. This triangular geo-area is characterized by rapid growth, and recent reports indicate that Texas’ population growth rate of 16%, already more than doubles the national rate. Along with fast-paced growth, Texas has the fourth-highest rate of new entrepreneurs. However, even with such an influx of new people and new businesses, one in five small businesses will fail within the first year of operation, with 50% closing their doors by the fifth year.

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But what makes the difference between the small Texas towns that thrive and flourish with economic progress, and those that miss the wave of opportunity and slowly dry up? Why do some small businesses soar to success, while others try and fail? For Jerry Pierce, the answer is simple. He answered, “There needs to be enough entertainment, with downtown shopping and fun things to do, to draw tourism from the larger metro areas like Dallas, which will invigorate the small business community.”

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Over the past year, at least two important small businesses in downtown Hubbard closed their doors for good. Pierce was affected by how the loss of these businesses impacted the whole of the Downtown economic community, and he determined to take action to revitalize and help our small businesses in both Hubbard and Dawson to thrive.

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Hubbard’s early trading post beginnings fostered in Pierce an idea for a wild West themed shopping event. Visualize entering through the saloon doors and being instantly transported back in time to Texas’ early frontier days. A Western themed Visitor Center available, welcoming guests to all the attractions and Downtown businesses (old and new).

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Pierce’s vision to center a tourist destination around an early Western frontier theme has the potential to revitalize the economy through the small business strength of both Hubbard and Dawson. Pierce stated, “With a wedding destination and weekend guest hosting available in Dawson, coupled with a restaurant and saloon in Hubbard, and many opportunities for themed vendors and shopping in both towns, there will be plenty to activities to attract wedding parties and large groups, in addition to increased tourism activity.” ?

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Both Jerry and Vicky are generational Texans, with family in the greater Navarro County area since the early 1900s. It is likely they may have had relatives who would have done business at the original Slap-out Trading Post, which operated from 1860 until 1881, when the St. Louis Southwestern Railway of Texas, called the Cotton Belt, established a station depot in Hubbard, which was then called Slap-out (and McLainsboro).

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Embracing Hubbard’s wild West era, the new Slap-out will host several shops and boutiques featuring frontier themes, located at 201, 205, and 207 NE 4th?St. The new Slap-out Trading Post can be entered from within The Shoppes at Old Town. The initial Trading Post spans over 700 sq. ft of shopping and will highlight historically themed displays, including antique hay trolleys, special knife collections, even a ladies’ selection, rare 5 ? ft tall dime store Indians and National Rifle Association (NRA) commemorative collectibles, as well as vintage and new metal pitchers and boilers. The new store will be open, and specialty items will be available as well, in advance of the Solar Eclipse, occurring on Monday, April 8.

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Slap-out Trading Post will offer unique Western and early Texas themed products. Some of the current specialty vendors are: Junkin’ with Jordan – Jordan Paige Boots, Russell Barlow 13:7 Custom Leather Shop, Coyote Creek brand by Cheri Moore.? There is room for several more shops.? This is in addition?to the vendors already in the Shoppes at Old Town.

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The Bridges at Larkin Hill is a breathtaking outdoor Texas wedding and event venue located on the edge of Dawson, on Highway 31. The venue features covered bridges crossing Larkin Hill Creek. The first one seating 120 people (20’ x 65’) and a second bridge is under construction, seating up to 175 guests (24’ x 85’). Both will have additional seating at the entrance to each bridge. The second bridge and supporting bridges will have an Old Mill theme, including a functioning water wheel. Plans for downtown Dawson will include bridal suites in the upstairs to the historic IOOF Building, as well as a groom’s salon in the historic downtown area. With two covered bridges on the property, and future development of a third bridge on the formerly Cotton Belt Railroad property at the south end of town, the objective is to provide Dawson the opportunity to become the Covered Bridge Capital of Texas. Each bridge, upon completion, will be registered on the Covered Bridge Database.

?The exciting next phase of creating Slap-out, Texas will highlight a historically themed saloon and event venue. Imagine lots of quality shopping experiences, followed by dinner and a show type of entertainment, in a top-notch restaurant, with a wild West setting, complete with mock gun fights and comedy events.

?Hubbard and Dawson are sister cities, and the small business sector of both can benefit greatly from a mutually shared, themed experience, by delighting tourists and visiting groups with a unique historic Texas day trip or weekend getaway. Imagine each town growing exponentially as well, with unlimited ideas and opportunities for new businesses, downtown activities, and trading post vendors. Pierce stated, “Right now there’s not really enough to do in each town separately to attract Dallas shoppers, but if we join together with the wedding venues and cabins in Dawson, and a quality restaurant and saloon in Hubbard, along with the Slap-out Trading Post and lots of shopping and vendors in both downtowns, then we’ve really got something trip-worthy.”? Vicky Pierce elaborated, “The covered bridge wedding venues are really special, and unique to this area. With wedding parties coming this Summer, now is the perfect time to plan for Slap-out and for Western themed vendors to join us.” ?

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Pierce believes that serving up Texas hospitality with Slap-out, Texas can be the catalyst to invigorating both business communities and provide a unifying and fun theme to rally around and promote.? Recent studies prove that Pierce’s hunch is correct. According to Yelp, strong new business growth is highest among hospitality services. Specifically, leading new business openings include hotels and travel (up 39%), event services (up 27%), travel agents (up 76%), RV rental (up 84%), and walking tours (up 15%), among others. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts the leisure and hospitality industry to encounter the fastest growth of any other industry, specifically in the fields of events, amusement parks, sports, arts, museum fields and accommodations, with approximately 1.9 million jobs expected to be added by 2031.

?The Hubbard area is uniquely located on the way to or from any of the metro areas, and has a special early Texas beginning with a history that the residents can be proud of. With a focus on Hubbard’s important start with the original Slap-out Trading Post, local small businesses and vendors can embody the same Texas hospitality, frontier-style, while poised for growth and expansion along with the towns’ popularity as a destination.

?Plans are in the works now and Pierce is currently accepting applicants. The kitchen area, furnished saloon, and dining room are available for rent (by someone experienced) to operate a restaurant, saloon, and perhaps a coffee bar. The Old West Saloon is currently available for events. The Slap-out Texas Trading Post will be open in Hubbard prior to the Solar Eclipse event on April 8. For more information and to find out how to get involved, contact Pierce directly at 817-999-4436.? Texas Trivia: What does the name Slap-Out mean? Vicky Pierce stated, “It meant, ‘We’re slap out of that!’ The trading post was called Slap-Out because often they would be “slap-out” of whatever you had wanted.”

Published March 20, 2024 @The Navco Chronicle Section B Page 10