The Ballad of Burns: The Nation's Oldest Family-Owned Western Wear Store

The allure of the American West is closely tied to the legend of the cowboy. While simply owning a pair of cowboy boots and a wide-brimmed hat doesn’t make one a cowboy, having these essentials certainly helps. Burns Cowboy Shop, based in Salina, has been providing American-made western attire to working cowboys, rodeo stars, and Western aficionados for six generations and is committed to continuing this tradition.

Brands like Ariat, Wrangler, and Justin have largely shifted their manufacturing overseas, but Burns remains dedicated to crafting all its products—including leather belts and trophy saddles—right in its workshop in Salina, Utah, located about two and a half hours south of Salt Lake City. Most items are available at its Park City storefront or via its online store.

While Burns has always been a favorite among ranch wear aficionados, it has gained significant attention in recent years due to its products being featured in the hit neo-western series Yellowstone. The show's creator, Taylor Sheridan, aimed to outfit the cast in the most authentic American-made cowboy attire, drawn to Burns for its deep-rooted heritage in rural Utah. The brand's products have also made appearances in The Walking Dead and its various spin-offs, while its hats have been worn by pop stars like Post Malone and Brandon Flowers from the Killers.

Founded in 1876 by Miles Lamonie Burns near the southern Utah town of Torrey, the company initially sold handcrafted harnesses to local ranchers and cowhands. Today, his direct descendant, Braydan Shaw, leads the company as president.

“We began as harness makers and blacksmiths, and it has evolved from there,” Shaw explains. “Our unique history is reflected in both our products and the experience we provide in our store.”

Over the years, the family has had to adapt the company’s focus multiple times. In the 1950s, as work horses declined in use and saddle horses became popular for recreation, the company pivoted to producing leisure saddles and riding gear. By the 1970s, long after the Wild West's heyday, Burns patented a design for Indian blanket-style automobile seat covers, which became so popular that they expanded production into a building next door to their saddlery. In the 2000s, they even experimented with a department store-style shop offering a variety of clothing brands and saddle gear. Today, however, Burns has returned its focus to crafting artisan-made western gear.

“If we had remained solely harness makers and blacksmiths, the advent of tractors and automobiles would have rendered us obsolete. Each generation has recognized the importance of allowing the next to steer the business in the direction they are passionate about,” Shaw remarks.

Burns proudly refers to its products as “heirloom-quality,” designed to endure for generations. Each item—be it hats, saddles, or leather goods like belts and boots—is either handcrafted or shaped by skilled artisans. For production president Matt Wanner, who has spent over 15 years at Burns and grew up working with horses, it’s all about the passion for creating beautiful pieces by hand.

“It’s something you can see, touch, and admire in the light,” Wanner explains. “You can say, ‘I contributed to creating this piece of art, and I take pride in it.’”

Crafting saddles, boots, and leather goods is a labor-intensive process—saddles can require 50 hours or more to complete. Consequently, there are fewer artisans making saddles today than in the past. However, Burns is committed to ensuring that future generations remember this craft. With a population of just over 2,600, Salina’s primary export is its high school graduates, as many young people leave town for opportunities elsewhere. Some, however, spend a summer or two working at Burns, and a few choose to make it their career.

“Many of our artisans mentor young apprentices who are learning from master craftsmen with 35 to 45 years of experience in our shop,” Shaw explains. “We provide ranch kids who cherish that lifestyle an opportunity to remain in our community.”

Looking ahead, Burns has ambitious plans to expand its operations in Salina and bring on even more skilled craftspeople. More importantly, they aim to invite individuals into the western lifestyle who may have thought a cowboy hat was out of reach for them.

“We’ve put significant effort into preserving our culture,” Shaw states. “However, we don’t want to limit our outreach to those who believe they have deep western roots. Our goal is to make the spirit of the West accessible to everyone.”