For two years, the fashionable leather boots and performance apparel at Tanger Outlets served as a local gateway to a brand named after one of the greatest racehorses of all time. But now, the shelves at the Foley Ariat Outlet stand empty.

The store, which brought the "New Breed of Boot" to Baldwin County in May 2024, permanently closed on June 22. The closing marks the end of a brief but busy chapter for the equestrian-focused retailer in the Foley community.

While the company remains a global leader in performance footwear for Western and English athletes, the Foley location entered a final liquidation phase to begin the week. To mark the exit, the store offered an additional 50% off the lowest markdown on all items. This included accessories, apparel and footwear, according to a post recently made on Facebook.

"Come see us and say goodbye," the store's post said in the announcement, noting that the timing offered a final chance for locals to find Father's Day gifts at a significant discount.

Founded in 1993, Ariat was built on the idea of bringing together athletic footwear technology and traditional equestrian boots. The company's name is a tribute to Secretariat, the legendary horse who won the Triple Crown in 1973.