Local boot store holds annual warehouse sale
One of Meadville’s most popular local retailers, The Boot Box, held its annual fall warehouse sale this year from Sept. 22 through Sept. 26.
As indicated by the title of a warehouse sale, in order to house all of their inventory, the store opens up their warehouse that sits directly across the street and up a slight hill from the brick and mortar store building.
The affordable and bountiful selection has made the sale a staple in Meadville, even for students.
“I’ve been here for the sale every year of college so far and I alwaysfind more things that I want than I can buy,” Brock Brumfield, ’23, said.
The sale features heavily discounted items such as flannels and boots that attract both country and city folk alike.
“I’m a big flanel guy so I had to get one of the heavy, hooded ones and I’ve already worn it,” Brumfield said. “I feel like whether you’re from the city or the suburbs or the country, you can’t go wrong with a nice warm flannel.”
The Boot Box specializes in work and hunting boots, clothing and optics from name brands; all of which flew off shelves during the sale.
“It’s been a pretty good turn out honestly,” employee Josh Gregs said. “We’ve been getting a lot of people through here and the crowds here are always much bigger this time of year.”
Though the store is on social media, much of their in-store traffic comes through word-of-mouth promotion.
“I come to the sale every year,” Logan McFadden, ’24, said. “I brought some friends with me because they wanted to come check it out and see everything The Boot Box has. We all love it.”
Even though word-of-mouth promotion has gotten people in the door, no one really understands the store until they go see it for themselves.
“One of my friends told me about The Boot Box my freshman year and so I went,” Brumfield said. “He told me about how much stuff they have but I was definitely still blown away when I first got here.”
The sale operates under two roofs, one of which features a basement where the racks and shelves are just as full as they are upstairs. Customers can also cross the street to browse between warehouse and store.
“It’s unlike any other store I’ve been in and they just have a s—- ton of stuff,” Brumfield said. “It’s a really cool place and kind of reminds me of a more niche Cabela’s or Bass Pro Shops. But something about that place is just really cool to me and I think between the feel of the shopping experience and the inventory they have, it’s no wonder why so many people on campus go for the sale.”
Although prices are slashed on nearly every item, nothing is free except the experience, so wallets are advised.
“I haven’t gotten anything yet, I was here the other day but I forgot my wallet so I’m looking forward to today,” McFadden said. “I’m looking for a nice hoodie, maybe like a Carhartt crewneck or something.”
While Allegheny students tended to gravitate towards the clothing, there were other top sellers around the store as well.
“We’ve been selling a lot of Yeti’s,” Gregs said. “People have also been buying a lot of Wolverine boots and Carolina’s too.”
For those who missed the warehouse sale, or would like to come back for seconds, the store will be holding another sale the week before Thanksgiving featuring many of the same items for sale.
The Boot Box is located at 11894 Pennsylvania Ave and is open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Jordan Greynolds, '22, is a features editor for The Campus newspaper and it is his second semester on staff. He is a business and religious studies double...