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The best-kept secret in the East
Geographically, Whispering Cowgirl may be as far east as you can travel for Westernwear and tack before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. The equestrian boutique with a quirky yet classy array of apparel and jewelry is located in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, halfway between the tip and elbow of Cape Cod.
But although she resides in New England, owner Ginny Parker is a true Westerner at heart. “I always wore cowgirl boots to the office,” says Parker, who worked at Merrill Lynch before making a career change. “I started riding horses a few years ago and found it can be really hard to find nice gear on the East Coast.” So she left her job and headed west to gather information for an online equestrian store. “I met a variety of different cowboy artisans and interviewed working cowboys to find out what they liked, and that’s how I chose the lines we carry.”
Then in May of last year, Whispering Cowgirl evolved from a website to a storefront. “It’s just taken off,” says Parker, now happy to offer customers a hands-on shopping experience. “Bridles and reins can look pretty on a website or in a catalog, but until you put those reins in your hand, you don’t know how they will feel, or more importantly, how they will feel to the horse.” In addition to saddles and tack from acclaimed brands like McCall Saddle Co. and Desmond Outfitter, Whispering Cowgirl now carries Old Gringo boots, Coreen Cordova jewelry, and fashions from Johnny Was and After the Ride.
Parker’s latest venture: a much needed expansion into a larger retail space. She jokes about her previous location, “My horse stall is probably bigger.”
FYI: Whispering Cowgirl, 331 Commerical St, Provincetown, MA 02657, 508.214.0158, www.whisperingcowgirl.com.
