Lubbock, TX: And Then There Were Three
Lubbock, Texas is the largest city in the Texas panhandle. Lubbock’s history is as rich as the soil it was settled on. It’s 326 miles northwest of Dallas in the Southern High Plains over part of the great Ogallala Aquifer.
When thinking of Lubbock, it could draw to mind cotton fields, dust storms, and Texas Tech. But if one looks a little deeper there, there is more beyond red dirt and the Red Raiders–it has a deep history that spans a millennia. Some of that history is etched into Lubbock Lake, which is known as the first archeological site in Texas. Who would’ve thought? [1]
Lubbock County was created by an act of legislation on August 21, 1876. The City of Lubbock itself was created by a merging of two towns: Monterey and Old Lubbock. Both towns were established on separate sides of Yellow House Canyon and were in contention to become the county seat. Although in a surprising move, instead of maintaining hostility, they decided to come together, create Lubbock and make it the county seat. [2]
Nowadays, Lubbock is known as the Hub City. It plays an important role in the South Plains. It’s the center that draws in people from the surrounding towns and counties. Its place as a college town also draws in international people that come to be a part of the many programs that Texas Tech has to offer.
The Beginning Of Flying Cow Lubbock
📷: by Logan Joiner Productions
Here at Flying Cow, we can attest to Lubbock’s power to draw you in. We came here with no plans to open a store, and yet, here we are ensconced in between 98th and Quaker. How did that happen? Well, it began with some friends, Deborah and Justin Price, and their decision to buy, open and rebrand a long-time brick and mortar camera shop. They had a vision to breathe new life into a historical gem. The Arceneauxs met with them to encourage them through the process of opening Armadillo Camera–a now great store that offers camera gear, rentals, repairs, prints, and a studio to shoot in.
The Arceneauxs were honored to be a small part of the beginning of the Price’s shop, especially since Deborah Price had been a long time friend and taking such amazing pictures of Flying Cow through her beautiful photography business–Deborah Faith Photography.
Much like Fredericksburg, the Arceneauxs were in Lubbock with no prior plans of opening a store, but a realtor (that they met through Mr. Price) had an available spot they wanted the Arceneauxs to look at. Upon seeing the area and how reasonably priced it was and remembering the ease and joy of opening their Fredericksburg, TX shop the year before, the idea of a store in Lubbock, TX seemed very attractive. Joshua and Britney began dreaming yet again to build another store.
Soon after this, it was discovered that a Midland,TX team member was moving to Lubbock and would be able to manage a newly opened store in the Hub City. Everything seemed to be in place, and it was decided to open Flying Cow Lubbock a short year after opening their Fredericksburg, TX shop.
As they began the building process and opened their doors, the Arceneauxs were overwhelmed with community, both of close existing friendships and of newly found ones in this beautiful new city. Their new location was very welcoming, and it felt like everyone was embracing the new store with open arms.
It was in September of 2021 that Flying Cow Lubbock opened their doors and four years in we’re still going strong!
The Hub
📷: by gebhartyler
Lubbock has been living up to its name as the hub of the South Plains. Beyond all the excitement that comes attached to a college town, Lubbock also has a thriving entertainment scene with concerts, theater, and ballets.
It also has a wonderful food scene that spans continents–with no shortage of breweries and wineries. There are so many places that it can be hard to just highlight a few! But if you want a deeper dive, the Visit Lubbock team has plenty of suggestions.
Entertainment
📷: by Emma Dau
Anyone that says there’s nothing to do in Lubbock hasn’t looked around too much! You can catch a concert at Cooks Garage, a broadway show or ballet at Buddy Holly Hall, or gain some knowledge at the Ranching Heritage Center and Science Spectrum. Adventure Park also offers some great family fun with a myriad of activities like go-carts, a rock wall, rope course, and many more fun things. There is also all the Texas Tech related entertainment–from sport activities to community events. It's enough to keep anyone busy!
Food Scene
📷: by José Ignacio Pompé
Lubbock's food scene has been rising with no signs of stopping. The West family have had a great impact with restaurants like Dirk’s and West Table. Escondido Grill also gives an enjoyable experience beyond food with roaming peacocks and getting some mouthwatering brisket at Evie Mae’s is a must! Aside from your classic Texas food, we also love trying food inspired beyond our borders like Fun Noodle Bar, Mams Thai Cuisine, Mirch Masala, and Vizo’s (where you can try some delicious African food).
Coffee
📷: by Nafinia Putra
We love Monomyth and couldn’t be prouder that it was voted the #1 Best Independent Coffee Shop by USA TODAY 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards and a must try if you’re ever stopping in Lubbock. Some of our favorites also include (but are not limited to) Sugar Browns, Gold Stripe and Ninety-Two Bakery and Cafe.
Shopping
📷: by Deborah Faith Photography
There are also quite a few shopping centers apart from the South Plains Mall here in Lubbock. Cactus Alley is a hidden gem that holds a restaurant, a coffee shop, a brewery, a bakery, and a few boutiques. Canyon West and West End are both outdoor malls that have anything you could want–be it groceries, coffee or new shoes.
Flying Cow itself is in Lakeridge Commons and we love our neighbors! If you pop over next door to Nature's Tonic for supplements, vitamins, and all around clean products. After getting some goodies for yourself, you can get something for your furry bestie at Urban Pet Market & Boutique–it’s a win win really!
We Love the Hub
📷: by Deborah Faith Photography
We love being a part of such a wonderful community! Lubbock, TX welcomed us without hesitation and has never let us down. We love seeing both new and familiar faces in our store and couldn’t be more grateful for everyone that has supported us along the way!
[1] https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/lubbock-county
[2] https://www.lubbockcounty.gov/department/division.php?structureid=132
Author: Ally Rankin
Ally is a beloved part of the Flying Cow Fam. She manages our Lubbock, TX store with her BFF Atlas (shop pup!), who is usually found snoozing in the back. She got her Bachelors degree from Texas Tech where she majored in English and minored in Technical Communications. When she’s not creating content, managing her team, or writing blogs, she can usually be found making a new cup of coffee–she promises it’s not a problem.