Wichita Falls – Whenever we’re on the road, we never know what we’ll run into. While making a stop in Wichita Falls, that was exactly the case! I proceeded to hit the brakes realizing that it would be now or never to have the chance to wander a store dedicated to the King. Upon walking in and getting to chat with Margaret, she gushed “I didn’t know you all were going to be here this soon or I would have put a record on, or tape on, or something.” When asked about why she loves Elvis so much she simply replied with a blush “Oh, Lord, I couldn’t tell what all it is about Elvis. Good-looking hunk. He’s a hunk.”
The very first time Margaret laid eyes on her favorite singer was in 1956 right there in Wichita Falls at the Memorial Auditorium. As a young married 23-year-old she remembers every moment. When commenting on the experience, she said “Oh my land, it was a thrill. He was here in Wichita, and it was my first time to really see him then. He sung and he sung, and he sung.” However, when asked if her husband was an Elvis fan, “Uh- uh. I think he was kind of jealous because I was so crazy about him.”
Firm in her beliefs that there will never be another entertainer quite like the King of Rock n Roll himself, this proud 88-year-old embarked on the Elvis business. Now don’t let Margaret fool you, she looks much younger and is asked by her kids regularly why she doesn’t act her age. Her response? “I don’t want to.”
Her third husband bought the store before he passed in 2019. Wally, her husband, was all about following his loves’ dreams so he bought her the store. Reminiscing over her late husband, she commented, “My husband said, “You want it, we’ll get it.” That’s the kind of guy he was.” She said she does not think she will remarry since she “had the cream of the crop,” and does not think anymore will reach the standard Wally set so high. Now-a-days it’s just Margaret and Elvis and believe us when we say, she’s got all the Elvis she can handle right there in her store. Cups and matching saucers, lunchboxes, salt and pepper shakers, and so much more are within her store. Books in all sorts of genres! We asked which books were the bad ones, she quickly replied “I don’t have any bad books of Elvis. Elvis didn’t do bad.”
One of the beloved items in the store, a golden Elvis decanter, even plays Margaret’s favorite Elvis song, “My way”. “Yeah I love My Way. I’m going to have that played at my funeral when I die.” I guess we are talking about kicking the bucket on the Texas Bucket List. She jokingly responds to which she would see at the Gates of Heaven “Elvis is first.” Poor Wally! Elvis has always been first in Margaret’s life and she just knows that Wally understands that. “He knew me very well” she says.
She continues to carry on her love for Wally within the store as her dreams would never have come true if not for his love and endearment. Now, Margaret gets to live each day with the only man she now needs in her life. Surrounded by him, listening to him, and getting to share her love for him with each person she comes in contact to. Thankfully, since her store is so unique, if you ever need anything Elvis odds are you will be grabbing a trinket from her Elvis emporium. So remember, if you ever find yourself in Wichita Falls, be sure to check out Margaret’s love filled store for your next Elvis collectible.