After 41 years of serving the equestrian community in Eureka and beyond, the Golden Horseshoe Tack Shop, founded by Jim and Joyce Donahue, changed hands on March 30. The new owner, Robin Haynes, aims to expand the business but continue the legacy the Donahues and their longtime manager, the late Lynn Kraut, built over four decades.
The tack shop, 319 N. Central Ave., was established in 1982, after the Donahues came up with the idea during a horse riding outing. Joyce Donahue said she and Jim identified a need for a tack shop in the area, and serendipitously found the perfect location for sale as they drove back.
Over the years, the shop grew into a one-stop shop for equestrian enthusiasts, selling everything from saddles and riding gear to horse care items like shampoos and vitamins.
Donahue recalls the early days of the business, starting with a small budget and limited inventory.
“We thought we could get in the business for just over $25,000 and then we could open up,” she said. “Well, we were really shocked that it didn’t even come close to what we really needed.”
Donahue said the store is known for its large consignment operation, where people bring in used saddles, tack or clothes to sell.
She said the store’s bulletin board became a popular local hub, attracting customers from far and wide who were looking for specific equestrian items, services or information. Additionally, the shop was involved in various charitable endeavors, donating to therapeutic horsemanship programs and horse rescue organizations.
Donahue said she and her husband owe most of the store’s success to Kraut, who had been the shop’s manager since its inception.
Donahue said Kraut was an expert in all things equine and provided exceptional customer service, even going so far as to help fit saddles for customers in the parking lot.
Sadly, Kraut died in December 2021, leaving a void in the shop’s operations, Joyce said.
New ownership
The Donahues found a temporary manager to keep the store running for a year while they decided its future. Ultimately, they sold the business to Haynes, whose family has experience with horses and a vision to expand the shop.
Haynes said she and her family are thrilled to have the opportunity to continue the Donahues’ legacy.
“We’re just super excited to have such an established business with a great reputation already that we’re able to carry on the tradition,” Haynes said. “We’re excited that it’s in such a great town like Eureka. We live in Eureka.”
Haynes plans to take the business to new heights.
“We want to improve and expand, all around. We want to expand the items that are offered and the types of tack,” Haynes said. “We want to have a little boutique-type section, as well as changing the floor plan to make it bigger and better.”
Donahue, too, is optimistic about the future of the shop under its new ownership.
“They have plans to make it big, to expand it, and make it as big as PFI. PFI is in Springfield, Mo., and it’s one of the largest Western wear and tack shops in the Midwest. And I hope they can do it,” she said.
The Golden Horseshoe Tack Shop is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
