With a name like the world famous Buckin’ Flamingo and a mooing yellow truck with Conestoga wagon cover pulling a saddled flamingo out front, there is only one way to satisfy your curiosity about this unique store. You simply must step inside.
Meghan and friends Kelsea and Kennedy stand with the well-known truck and trailer the Garnetts use to advertise their business.
A large display of metal art and bird feeders fills the center of the Buckin’ Flamingo in Pawhuska.
Our first visit to the Buckin’ Flamingo
The first time we visited the Buckin’ Flamingo in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, shop owners Cody and Lauren Garnett greeted us with a warm welcome and invited us to take a look around. It took a minute to process the abundance of brightly colored metal yard art, but once we did, we knew we’d stumbled across someplace special. And quite unique.
Buckin’ Flamingo owners Cody and Lauren and their daughters.
You see, the world famous Buckin’ Flamingo is one-of-a-kind, just like the couple who owns the place. He was a professional steer roper and she was a high school math teacher before the couple wed nine years ago and their entrepreneurial spirits took off.
It couldn’t be called the Buckin’ Flamingo if there weren’t at least SOME flamingoes! (And a giant grizzly for good measure.)
Family business
Cody’s family had been in the horse trading business (among others). He knew lots about bartering when he opened his first business, Big County Pawn, in Pawhuska. Cody also knew a lot about marketing, having worked in the field for top brands like Carhart, Copenhagen, and Jack Daniels.
This orange Cadillac, and everything on it, was pawned at the Garnett’s Big County Pawn shop. It is well-known around town.
It’s all in the marketing
So, he put all of that knowledge together and in no time he found himself driving around town promoting his pawn shop in a bright orange Cadillac (pawned). The car is accentuated with horns above the grill (also pawned) and shotguns on the hood (yes, you guessed it, pawned). A little out there, maybe, but it got people’s attention.
One of the many fun pieces of metal art available to spruce up any man cave.
Locals began frequenting his store, and Lauren set up a bail bonds business there, as well. Then, when The Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond announced plans for her Mercantile, the Garnetts knew they had a great business opportunity.
Pick up a metal sign to decorate your shop, man cave or whatever. Chances are your favorite brands are here!
They began tossing around ideas for retail businesses that would also attract visitors of The Merc and finally came up with one that stuck while vacationing in Mexico. “We found this place that built metal yard art and we brought a truck load of it back with us and put it in the pawn shop,” Cody said. “It became our main retail and was outperforming our guns and ammo.”
Unique metal art for sale at the World Famous Buckin’ Flamingo
Today, their store on Main Street includes metal yard art, signs, bird feeders, and holiday decor. And much, much more. They also sell beautiful turquoise jewelry, zippered pouches and coin purses with funny sayings. You can even get a jar of spicy Hatch chili sauce there. Be careful, though, it’s addictive.
Turquoise jewelry at the Buckin’ Flamingo makes a perfect gift.
These fun zippered bags are perfect for make-up, charging cords, pencils, or anything else you want to keep safe.
So why Buckin’ Flamingo?
Cody said when the metal art store took off, they needed a name that would draw attention. They knew pink flamingos were popular but the Garnetts also wanted to draw on their rodeo/ranch/prairie lifestyle. Flamingo Prairie was too boring. Flamingo Ranch sounded naughty. And then they came up with Buckin’ Flamingo, and it stuck.
Pick up a metal sign to decorate your shop, man cave or whatever. Chances are your favorite brands are here!
Even more Pawhuska businesses
In addition to the Buckin’ Flamingo, pawn shop and bail bonds services, they own several other small businesses, as well. The Garnetts also have Osage County Auction Co., the Flamingo’s Nest short-term rental, and get this, a goat ropin’ business. Yes, Cody and crew will bring their homemade goat ropin’ arena right to your home for a fun-filled activity for your special event.
Another business offered by the Garnetts is goat roping. A popular activity at the Cavalcade Rodeo, roping sessions last well into the night.
The Flamingo’s Nest, the B&B property owned by the Garnetts is great for large groups and even has a pool table.
Together, and with the help of their family, friends, and community, the Garnetts and their businesses are flourishing and we couldn’t be happier for them. If you’re in Pawhuska to visit The Pioneer Woman Mercantile, be sure to step around the corner and take a peek inside the world famous Buckin’ Flamingo. You never know what kind of cool stuff you’re going to find.
Have you visited the Buckin’ Flamingo? What did you think?
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A look inside Cody and Lauren Garnett’s world famous Buckin’ Flamingo in Pawhuska, Oklahoma.
Oh my amazing people and town! So much to see and the artwork is all hand painted by a local artist too. Osage County and Pawhuska Oklahoma is a must add for your vacation and bucket list!
We agree! The hand painted signs are just amazing.
I’ve been in there, . . . often, absolutely love the place! It’s great fun & I always find something new & different that I “need”! The owners are terrific people, great entrepreneurs, and they continue to entertain the Pawhuska community and visitors. When in town, DON’T miss this store!
We couldn’t agree more!
I have been there–and it is great fun! Just wish I had room for all the great pieces I saw last weekend. The metal work poinsettias should be a great treat for Christmas anywhere—-Enjoy your visit, and I continue to enjoy the turquoise earrings my husband bought for me!