After more than half a century in business, Knutson’s Western Store – located in Beresford, SD – closed it’s doors at the end of 2024.
Knutson’s Western Store started in 1969 as a tack room in the horse shed on the Knutson’s farm. The family was involved in horse training at the time, and people would come to their ranch for riding lessons. The Beresford and Centerville Saddle Clubs were active then and area residents were eager to interact with horses. The Knutson’s tack room was one of just a few places in the area where people could buy saddles, bridles, halters, and other items needed for horses.
The Knutson’s offerings were so popular that soon it was suggested that the couple open a storefront in Beresford, near the interstate, which would be accessible to more people. So, in 1971, the couple moved their tack shop to a space next to the feed store in the Cenex travel plaza (now Truck Towne) in Beresford.
The grand opening for the new store was held in 1975 and featured all the items needed to outfit a horse, as well as western attire for men, women, and children, including formal western suits and tuxedos in various sizes.
In the heyday of Knutson’s Western Store, the Knutson’s would travel to yearly western trade shows in Minneapolis, Spearfish, and Denver, where they would purchase the latest fashions and products while participating in horse shows and western events. A lot of times, they were required to order hundreds of pieces of inventory at a time. As a result, now that the Knutson’s have shut down their store, they have a lot of inventory left.
Shoppers looking for a bargain are urged to check out the treasure trove of leftover inventory at the Waverly Horse Sale on Wednesday March 26th during the tack sale. We will have suits and tuxedos in various sizes, boots in odd sizes, clothing for men, women, and kids, belts, hats. We have a lot of brown pants. There are saddles, harnesses, blankets, and sheets. And so many knick-knacks!”
