Burlap Clothing Co. is all Paso Robles
From left, Burlap Clothing Co. owners Kaila Hursell, Brandon Stier and Shelly Dargatz. Hursell and Dargatz wear clothing that their company sells, while Stier shows off the company’s website, which it currently exclusively sells through. Photo by Heather Young
Local online company has great start
Specializing in contemporary, country rustic clothing, footwear and accessories for women, Burlap Clothing Co. began in April as an online business. Owned by Paso Robles residents Shelly Dargatz, her son Brandon Stier and his girlfriend Kaila Hursell — both 2005 graduates of Paso Robles High School — the company ships worldwide, with free shipping within the United States.
Maison Sills of Atascadero models fashions from the Burlap Clothing Co. Photo by Brando Stier
The company’s first order, Stier said, was to Australia and nearly every transaction, so far, is conducted online. In addition to its website, the business utilizes social media outlets such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Wanelo. The only offline event the store has participated in is the California Mid-State Fair, which Stier said was an overwhelming success.
“It was the first time we ever did a booth,” Stier said. “We did very, very well there. … We almost sold out of our inventory.” He added that he has already signed up for a booth for the 2015 fair that is twice the size of the one they had this year.
Stier said that what sets their business apart are the prices and style of clothing. Stier, Dargatz and Hursell all play a hand in choosing the items that the company sells. The team anticipates taking about six to eight trips a year to the Los Angeles Fashion District to meet with thousands of vendors. Over its five months of business, Burlap Clothing Co. already has exclusive pieces from some vendors — one vendor, Stier said, has created tops in custom colors, with Burlap Clothing Co. being the exclusive vendor. Down the line, he said, their goal is to create their own designs.
The company, Stier said, was the brainchild of Hursell who had intentions of buy a clothing boutique. Stier, who has been in retail for 14 years, said they came up with a plan to create their own business.
Taylor Hixson of Atascadero is shown wearing clothing from Burlap Clothing Co. Photo by Brandon Stier
“It was no big deal to me to start a business,” Stier said. “I never saw myself selling women’s clothing.”
All of the photos showcasing clothing and accessories on the Burlap Clothing Co. website are taken in and around Paso Robles, with locations used including downtown Paso Robles and Templeton, Paso back roads and local wineries. Stier said the names of some of the items are drawn from the Central Coast to showcase their roots in Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo County.
Though the business will remain online for the time being, its overwhelming success as an online business has the team looking for storefronts in downtown Paso Robles and downtown San Luis Obispo. While Stier thinks that it will take longer to find the right storefront in SLO — he wants a place on Higuera Street — the brick and mortar store in Paso Robles could be open by the beginning of 2015.
“When we get into a storefront, our customers aren’t paying our rent,” Stier said, emphasizing that prices will not increase, with store prices and online prices remaining the same. “A lot of people will drive all the way to San Luis Obispo — we want to keep them local.”
To check out Burlap Clothing Co., go to www.burlapclothingco.com.
