Photos: Christesen’s Western Wear in downtown Pleasanton to close after 92 years

Christesen’s Western Wear will permanently close its doors on Sept. 26 after nearly a century in downtown Pleasanton.

After 92 years, the western wear and tack shop, along with its iconic horse statue “Gus,”  will just be a memory to many.

Owner Rory Janes says the Pleasanton store will be closing due to downtown area becoming more restaurant-centric as opposed to retail oriented. They’re liquidating their entire inventory, and everything from boots to jeans are marked half off.

Christesen’s sister store, Baughman’s Western Outfitters in downtown Livermore, will continue to operate.

Gus the horse will be donated to the Museum on Main two doors down and it remains to be seen if he’ll still hold his post on the sidewalk.

Manager Freddy Schoorl, has worked at the Pleasanton location for 22 years and admits that online buying has hurt their business.

“It’s sad to see retail going by the wayside,” Schoorl said.

Longtime customer Nancy St-Laurent, of Pleasanton, picked out several pairs boots while lamenting the loss.

“It’s so sad. The horse is always there. As much as the Pleasanton sign is Pleasanton, the horse is Pleasanton,” St-Laurent said.

Stay tuned for more coverage as we document the store’s last day of business on Sept. 26.