By DEANNA PAWLOWSKI/Daily Sun Staff

The longest-running original owners of a downtown business just celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on May 29.

Wesley and Lucille Green are the only owners of Green's Western Wear, and will celebrate 50 years in business this September.

Their three employees have been there a good while, too. Marshall Purifoy started at Green's when he was a 17 year old DECA student, and has been with the Greens 24 years. Lou Franks has also been there 24 years, and Betty Murphey (Peaches) has put in 28 years. What a track record!

"It's kind of like a family down here, I'm serious," Wesley Green said.

The Greens started their business in a location at 113 N. Main, then moved to 111 N. Main. In 1970, Wesley was on a downtown parking lot committee, which planned to demolish the building where they are now located at 126 West 5th Avenue. He sketched his vision of what the building could become, pitched his idea to the committee, and the Greens became the new owners of the building. It was built in 1901 to house a clothing store. During World War II, the telephone company purchased the building, and the government leased it from 1957-1965. It was then vacant for five years, until the Greens saved the building, along with its alamo-style archway out front.

"People stop by here and take pictures of the front of the building," Green said.

The store began as a shoe repair shop, as Wesley Green has been repairing shoes for 65 years. He followed his father's footsteps, who did it for 66 years, and has a brother who has been repairing shoes for 45 years. They added the western wear later on.

Green's Western Wear carries Justin, Tony Lama, Nocona and Luchese boots. They have a full line of Wrangler menswear, as well as Cinch shirts, and a suit line. Womenswear brands include Cinch, Rocky Mountain, Lawmen and Wrangler, among others.

They have a line of Brighton accessories, along with a Montana silver line including watches, necklaces, bracelets, money clips and more. They also stock leather goods such as wallets and belts.

"We probably carry more belts than anyone in this part of the country," Green said.

Stop by the historic building at 126 West 5th Avenue and visit Wesley and Lucille Green, and the rest of the Green "family" today.

Deanna Pawlowski may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected]

Wesley and Lucille Green are celebrating 50 years as the owners of Green's Western Wear. DAILY SUN photo/SCOTT HONEA

8/28/2003 GOLDEN SERVICE: Green's Western Wear here 50 years

By DEANNA PAWLOWSKI/Daily Sun Staff

A cornerstone of downtown Corsicana is celebrating their 50th anniversary.

Green's Western Wear was established on Sept. 2, 1953 in a location at 113 N. Main. The store began as a shoe repair shop, as Wesley Green has been repairing boots and shoes for 65 years. He and wife, Lucille, also sold adult and children's shoes, and soon decided to add western wear.

The location changed to 111 N. Main, until the Greens became aware of an old downtown building that was scheduled for demolition. Wesley was on a committee that planned to turn the lot into parking space, but Green thought the alamo-style archway on the front of the building would be perfect for a western wear store. The Greens bought the building, did extensive renovations, and moved in to their present location at 126 W. 5th Ave.

"You can get it all in one place -- we can outfit babies to grandmas and grandpas," Wesley said. "This building was good for business, because it got things out where people could see them.

"It was good for us, and good for the town."

Over the years, business has been good.

"It put two kids through school," Wesley said.

The Green's daughter, Jan Ivie, and their son, "Bubba" Green, both received bachelor's and master's degrees from Sam Houston State University. "Bubba," who passed away three years ago, always liked the outdoors, and had little interest in working in the store.

"Bubba worked there maybe one day, and said he would rather work out on Daddy's ranch," Jan said. "I've worked there ever since we had it -- it's like a second home to me."

Jan and husband, Pete, live on a ranch next to the Green's. Their daughter, Rheann Ivie-Gaston is a teacher of handicapped students at Navarro Elementary. Jan has taught at Corsicana High School for many years, in Diversified Career Preparation Co-op, and tried to retire this year. However, she was lured into teaching part-time. Jan will take over the store if and when her parents decide to retire.

"I retired this year so I could work at the store," Ivie said. "It is a neat business, you meet so many nice people."

But Wesley and Lucille show no signs of slowing down just yet.

"We enjoy people," Lucille said. "Seeing people, visiting with them.

"As long as you are healthy and your mind is good, and you enjoy it, you should keep at it."

Green's is truly a family business, and the Greens consider their three employees to be family. Betty "Peaches" Murphey has been with them 28 years, and Lou Franks and Marshall Purifoy have each been there 24 years.

"It's kind of like a family operation," Wesley said. "One person's problems are all of our problems."

They have been serving families for 50 years, and some are third generation.

"It is funny to fit a six-foot teenager, and remember when you fit his mother for her first pair of infant shoes," Green said.

"We've straightened many a child's foot," Lucille said. "We know all our repeat customers by name, and people like to be remembered."

Green's boasts customers from all over the golden circle area, as well as mail-order customers from Florida, Arkansas, and Georgia. They have even sent items to England and Israel.

"We really prefer for people to try stuff on, because not everything is sized the same," Wesley said.

Green's carries western attire for men, women and children, along with boots and shoes. They also have a women's sports line, hats, jewelry, wallets and belts.

A drawing will be held Saturday, Sept. 6, around 3:00 p.m. Registration for the drawing will begin Sept. 2, and continue until that day. Hot dogs and cold drinks will be served from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Given away in the drawing will be jeans, shirts, hats, buckles, jewelry, and a life-size cutout of George Strait.

Wesley Green can be spotted walking Butch, the beautiful red chow, along the sidewalks of downtown Corsicana each weekday morning, but they always return to the downtown landmark of Green's Western Wear.

Deanna Pawlowski may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected]