The Branding Iron Kicks Off Another Year
By Tiffany Watkins

Judy Eaton and Bob Urbach with their trusty steed that keeps a lookout during business hours. Photo by Tiffany Watkins

If you see the life-size Appaloosa horse parked outside the Branding Iron, then you know the shop is open for business at 733 Main St.

The Branding Iron has been in business since 1978 and Judy Eaton has owned and operated the Western store ever since. She has rolled the horse statue in front of the store every morning and has rolled it in every night for the last 29 years.

Eaton, 76, said the Branding Iron moved to its new location in February 2005, which is just a block from the old location. That move has brought in even more walk-in customers, Eaton explained.

She said that people who come up to Ramona to look at the antiques at the historical center also visit her store since they are so close. She also said that a few long-time Ramona residents have claimed they didn't even know that the community had a Western store until the shop moved to its current location.

Owner Judy Eaton. Photo by Tiffany Watkins

Bob Urbach, who has worked at the Branding Iron for 11 years, not only handles the front counter, but shapes and cleans hats for professional cowboys and cowgirls on the rodeo circuit and/or show their performance horses.

He said that customers drive from El Cajon and Escondido just to have their hats blocked, which is shaped, and have them cleaned as well. "We have a complete hat and shoe service," Urbach said. He added that the Branding Iron has an additional service for customers: Tack repair. The Branding Iron also has a repair service where employees can send out equipment that they can't fix at the store.

"We have sold a lot of ropes to professional ropers," Urbach said. He added that the store stocks silver bits and spurs. In addition, the store has supplied hats and clothing for many of the local rodeo queens and rodeo queen contestants. Even rodeo queens and contestants from Lakeside make the drive to Ramona to buy outfits and hats to take them to the top.

"Bailey hats are in for 2007," Eaton said. She added that it's important for the store to keep up with the trends, and that includes "bling" on belts and other accessories.

The Branding Iron has sponsored numerous events and organizations through the years, including the Ramona Rodeo, the Ramona Rodeo Queen Pageant, Ramona Trails and the Humane Society, among others.

"This is a mom-and-pop Western store," said Urbach "and they are vanishing fast." He added that it's hard to find a store that carries clothing, jewelry, tack and saddles all in one place. He said that other stores usually only carry a few of the items such as tack and saddles, but the Branding Iron is a one-stop shop for all things Western.

"I have had a long ray of experience in this type of business," Eaton said. She has worked in Western stores dating to the 1940s. She even has hands-on experience using the equipment because she used to ride and show horses.

To contact The Branding Iron, call 760-789-5050. The store is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.