Winkley’s Trading Post - Cedar Park

Winkley’s Trading Post - Cedar Park

Written by Susan VanDeWater Thursday, 07 September 2006

Family-owned trading post a city landmark

When Winkley’s Trading Post opened in 1978, things were a little different.

 

“There wasn’t much out here in the way of traffic,” recounted Ray Simpson, manager of Winkley’s. “We used to sit out here and watch the deer and turkeys in the field that’s now the Albertson’s parking lot. We wouldn’t start seeing traffic until 11 a.m. or so.”

Times have certainly changed for the hardware and gift store, located on the busiest corner in Cedar Park – the intersection of US 183 and FM 1431. Winkley’s Trading Post offers a little bit of everything, according to Simpson. From hardware to wind chimes to firewood and used furniture, if you need it, chances are Winkley’s has it.

Winkley’s was originally an auto parts store, opened by Bill Winkley in 1971. Today, Bill’s son Pat owns the store, while brother John and brother-in-law Simpson, run the store.

“Everyone said he was crazy,” Simpson said of his father-in-law’s purchase in 1971. “He had just sold another auto parts store on Burnet Road in Austin and here he was in his fifties starting up again – and way out here with nothing around. But, he made it work.”

Within a few years, Bill outgrew his store and relocated to a larger facility owned by Kenneth Bell. Bill added bait and tackle sales and by 1977, business was strong. But Bill was ready to sell. Another auto parts retailer bought the parts store, while Pat bought the rest. He moved the store back to its original location, opening Winkley’s Trading Post in 1978.

By the early 1980s, Pat added a hardware section to the store, helping Winkley’s find its niche. Today, Winkley’s Trading Post offers consigned and used merchandise, hardware and gifts such as wind chimes, metal art, bird feeders and more.

The Winkleys have a long history in the Cedar Park/Leander area. In September, Leander ISD opened William J. Winkley Elementary in honor of the pioneering businessman, a remarkable testament to the values and virtues he possessed.

In many ways, his spirit lives on in Winkley’s Trading Post. “I want to see Winkley’s continue to grow into a true neighborhood store,” commented Simpson. “People can come here to talk to someone. We’ll help them solve their problems.”

Winkley’s through the years

• 1971 – Bill Winkley opens Winkley’s Auto Parts at corner of US 183 and FM 1431
• 1974 – Moves store south to the Kenneth Bell building
• 1974 – 1977 –Several Winkley sons open businesses on the corner of US 183 and 1431
• 1977 – Dale’s Auto Supply buys out Winkley’s auto parts store
• 1978 – Pat Winkley opens Winkley's Trading Post selling consigned merchandise and bait and tackle
• 1983 – Pat adds hardware to store
• 2000 – Libby (Winkley) Simpson adds gift items to store’s inventory

Winkley’s Trading Post, 909 N. Bell, Cedar Park, TX, 512-258-9388