Barque

Barque

Barque is a unique boutique in Lubbock, Texas that has become a cherished destination for gift seekers and stationery enthusiasts alike. With a focus on presents and paper, Barque has proudly served West Texas for over 15 years weaving a narrative of transformation, creativity and community support.

From Calligraphy Etc. to Barque

Formerly known as Calligraphy Etc., this local gem underwent a transformative journey when Texas Tech University alumna Kandice Matsler returned to Lubbock after living in Dallas for eight years when the opportunity arose to purchase her favorite paper store in 2008. Recognizing the need for a name that truly reflected the store’s essence, she rebranded it as Barque in 2014. The shift was prompted by a desire to defy assumptions, as customers frequently mistook the store for offering calligraphy classes, which was not the case.

The term “Barque,” with its sailing vessel connotation, was adopted to encapsulate paper, dog items and a nod to French cooking – essentially, a curated space offering Kandice’s favorite gift categories.

Lubbock’s welcoming West Texas hospitality and the community’s unwavering support have been instrumental in Barque’s success.

“The people are definitely my favorite thing about Lubbock,” Kandice said. “There’s something comforting about West Texas hospitality, and the people here are at the top of their game when it comes to making me and my business feel special.”

Despite Lubbock being the location of the business when Kandice acquired it, she always envisioned it as the perfect place to offer her unique blend of stationery and gifts to the community. Coming from Dallas, where a greater variety of gift shops exists, Kandice saw an opportunity to bring something different and fun to Lubbock.

Barque’s Commitment to Lubbock

Barque thrives on supporting local businesses, regularly partnering with them for in-store celebrations, giveaways, promotions and pop-ups. The store’s affection for the Lubbock community is further showcased through an array of Lubbock-themed items, including Chilton glasses, 806 towels, Lubbock pillows and more.

One standout offering is the Cloisonné ornaments, crafted by skilled artisans, making each piece unique and one-of-a-kind. These ornaments have gained immense popularity, with last year’s stock selling out in record time. 

“The idea for the Lubbock Icon ornaments came from the desire to showcase landmarks and aspects of living in Lubbock during the different seasons,” Kandice said. “The first ornament in 2022 features iconic Fall Lubbock scenes including the South Plains Fair, cotton, Texas Tech football, the windmill museum and the Buddy Holly Museum. This year’s design is more of a Lubbock Winter Wonderland that features Carol of Lights, Christmas at the Ranching Heritage Center, the Nutcracker and a tumbleweed with a string of colored lights.”

Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Kandice shares valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of uniqueness and genuine passion.

 “Make sure it’s something that’s not already being done, and make sure it’s something you really want to do,” she advises. “Owning and operating a small business is hard, and if you don’t believe in what you’re doing enough to put in the effort, it’s not going to work. You’ll hit the sweet spot if you can find a need that will help the community – and make it a living.”

As Barque continues to chart its course, offering customers the best products and unique, personalized gifts, the commitment to staying on top of trends and expanding the selection remains unwavering. While change is inevitable, there are no current plans to move – Barque stands firm as a beacon of creativity, community and celebration in Lubbock, Texas.

For more information about Barque, check out their website at https://www.barquegifts.com/. 

here’s something comforting about West Texas hospitality, and the people here are at the top of their game when it comes to making me and my business feel special.

Kandice Matsler