John and Karen Cole, who opened Walker Brothers in 1977, with their growing family in the local fashion label’s signature Curly Tail gear.
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH JOHN COLE FROM WALKER BROTHERS
John and Karen Cole opened the first Walker Brothers store on the Fayetteville Square in 1977. John was a graduate student at the University of Arkansas at the time, and felt inspired to follow the dream after doing a study on a men’s shop in one of his classes there. His own grandparents owned three department stores in Northwest Arkansas and Southwest Missouri when he was growing up, and this venture continued in that family tradition. Today, Walker Brothers has locations in Fayetteville and Rogers and is widely known as the place to shop for luxury men’s clothing (and their popular Curly Tail Clothing brand shirts and accessories) while providing clients with the highest quality products and an unparalleled level of service.
The Scout Guide: Can you remember the very first time you realized your passion for the men’s fashion business?
John Cole: I was probably 10 years old. As a kid, I spent lots of time watching my grandparents enjoy the process of serving others through their department stores. We have built our business on what I learned from them.
This vintage sign from the Walker Brothers Dry Goods store in Eureka Springs, AR was relocated to the Fayetteville store from a buyer at an antique sale. Such a proud piece of small business history!
TSG: Where did the name of your business come from?
JC: We initially opened under my name; the store was called John W. Cole mainly because naming the store after the owner was the trend at the time. I was never comfortable with that, as it was somewhat ego driven. We then made the decision to honor my grandparents with changing the name to their store name of Walker Brothers. Only after assuring my grandmother that we would run a good business based on serving were we able to make the name change. Thankfully, she said OK.
TSG: Is there a higher purpose you serve through your passion and business?
JC: Absolutely. Our family has a strong belief that one of the reasons we are here on earth is to serve, and we have based our business on that belief.
TSG: What is your business's earliest success story?
JC: I think the story is more that we've been in business since 1977 and that we are blessed to have our son Thomas (above, far left) as our General Manager. Through his efforts, we have partnered with one of the finest stores in the USA, Bauman's in Little Rock, and through that relationship will be able to offer our region the finest products available anywhere.
TSG: What is a little known fact about your business?
JC: My wife Karen does all the work.
TSG: What are some of your favorite ways to live locally here in NWA?
JC: You can find me often jogging the trails, playing golf with my buddies, or chasing grandchildren around. Our three sons and their families all live in Fayetteville so it makes our time here even more special since we now have ten grandchildren (and it’s soon to be 11!).
Pre-COVID-19, you could also often find Karen and myself out sharing meals at our favorite restaurants with family and friends. We love to go to Herman's, Hugo’s, Bordino's, Feed and Folly, MJ's Pizza, Local Lime Rogers and of course Puritan Coffee & Beer!
Stop in Walkers Brothers any day of the week to meet John (and Thomas) to shop local and support the family traditions behind their small business. Be sure to tell them The Scout Guide sent you!
