SHORT GO OPENS IN HISTORIC PHILIP HARDWARE
Hays, Kan.— Known as Philip Hardware for over 100 years and listed on the National Register for Historic Places, the two-story 1874 limestone building located at 719 Main is a treasured piece of Hays history. Recently renovated by Liberty Group, the primary developer for the Chestnut Street District, the historic doors of Philip Hardware are open for business once again as the new home of Short Go, a western wear and tack store owned by Jared Roberts of Abilene, Kan.
“Knowing the legacy behind Philip Hardware and the community’s interest in the building’s future, we hoped to find a tenant that would complement the building’s heritage,” commented Kelli Hansen of Liberty Group. “After meeting Jared and learning about his business, his schools and how he is the fourth generation to be continuing his family’s traditions, we felt we’d found the perfect asset not only for the building but for the Chestnut Street District.”
Short Go specializes in custom boots, buckles, hats and chaps as well as being a full-line western store offering men and women’s clothing, jewelry and western wear accessories. Short Go also carries men’s suits and provides hat cleaning and shaping services. According to Roberts, Short Go is the largest supplier of rodeo equipment in Kansas, and he is expanding his inventory to include tack from Billy Cook and Court’s Saddlery, western art and photography.
Short Go (a rodeo term which is the equivalent of a championship round in other sports) first opened in Manhattan, Kan. in 2001. In December 2007, Roberts opened a second location at The Mall in Hays, Kan.
“Even when I moved to Hays I always noticed this building and thought it would be perfect for Short Go,” stated Roberts. “As each of my rodeo interests fell into place, I realized that this building and the downtown would be the perfect backdrop moving forward.”
Roberts also uses Short Go for the name of his rodeo school, Short Go Rodeo, which is held each year in Abilene, Kan. catering to rough stock events and featuring World Champion instructors. As a professional saddle bronc rider and instructor, Roberts’ latest endeavor is to return to the rodeo arena, not only as a contestant but as a producer and stock contractor much like his great-grandfather E.C. Roberts.
Roberts’ new company, Roberts Pro Rodeo, Inc., will produce the 2009 Plainville Saddle Club Rodeo Jun. 12 and 13 with plans to introduce it and five other new PRCA rodeos in 2010 including the first annual Gerald Roberts All-Around Roughstock Memorial in Abilene, Kan.
It’s fortuitous that the Philip Hardware building, which served four generations of the George Philip family, now is the home to Roberts, who is the fourth generation to carry on his family’s legacy steeped in professional rodeo. He is the grandson of two-time All-Around World Champion Gerald Roberts and the great-grandson of E.C. Roberts, dubbed “Mr. Rodeo” by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA). The Roberts family founded Strong City’s Flint Hills Rodeo in 1937. The Flint Hills Rodeo is the longest consecutively run rodeo in Kansas. Roberts’ parents, Jim and Susan, own Roberts Cowboy Outfitters in Salina, Kan.
It wasn’t always all rodeo. The Roberts’s ties to western wear go back to 1947 when Blue Bell, Inc. was introducing a new western jean called Wranglers. Gerald became the first professional cowboy to endorse the jean that eventually became the signature clothing line for the industry. The Roberts’s also have ties to Hollywood as stuntmen. And in 1959, Gerald was offered the role of “Rowdy Yates” for the pilot series of “Rawhide”, but he turned it down to tour Europe with Casey Tibbs in a wild west show. Clint Eastwood signed on to play the role of Rowdy instead.
Short Go is open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. The new phone number is (785) 625-2000. For more information, log onto www.ShortGoRodeo.com.
