A stone-accented log cabin on the edge of Dripping Springs stands out from the highway. Inside is a store that stands out from anything you’ve ever seen. You won’t find fluorescent lights or crowded aisles. Instead, there’s leather that smells like campfire memories, gear that lasts for generations, and a welcome as warm as an old friend’s handshake.
This is Texas Gadget Company, a family-owned outdoor and lifestyle store built on legacy, intention, and a love for the wild places.
At the center of it all is Michael Lavengco. A lifelong outdoorsman, Michael has hunted and fished his entire life. He and his wife, Cheryl, have raised their three kids—McKenzie, Michael II, and John Matt—with that same love of the land. “All my kids have grown up hunting and fishing since they could walk,” he says. “It’s a way of life.”
The Lavengcos moved to Dripping Springs in 2013, and their boys went to Dripping Springs High School. Today, all of their children, now adults, live in Central Texas. “This is where our roots are,” he says.
Michael is now retired from a 40-year career in corporate America, but retirement certainly hasn’t slowed him down: “Retirement for me is running three new companies,” he says with a laugh. “I knew I was going to retire from the corporate world. This is what I want to do.”
That vision became Texas Gadget Company, a space where passion meets purpose. “This business is about legacy,” Michael says. “It’s an opportunity for my wife and me to create something for our family. We’re excited to give something to the next generation. They can enjoy it as long as they can.”
The family legacy continues with son John Matt, who works side by side with his parents at the shop. With McKenzie and Michael II also helping to support Texas Gadget Company, the Lavengco family envisions the business and its products lasting for generations. Luke Shelton, a key employee, has also become an integral part of the Texas Gadget Company family alongside the Lavengcos.
All the gear at Texas Gadget Company is heirloom-quality, built to perform and endure. Brands like Filson, Danner, Orvis, and Fishpond fill the shelves. There’s Benchmade for premium knives, Garmin for next-level navigation, SITKA Gear for serious hunters, and Free Fly, Burlebo, and Howler Brothers for technical outdoor apparel that’s as stylish as it is functional. Add in Mystery Ranch packs, LaCrosse boots, XTRATUF footwear, Tupelo outdoor furniture, and an extensive selection of YETI products, from tumblers to road-ready ice chests. The result is a curated selection of the best outdoor gear found anywhere in the country.
“We were either going to do it the right way or not do anything at all,” Michael says. “You get what you pay for, and quality and dependability are not inexpensive.”
That level of quality goes hand-in-hand with expert, personal service. “We want to be the concierge and product expert,” he explains. “Customers come in and say, ‘I’m headed to Montana or Wyoming or somewhere in Texas to fly fish or hunt.’ We help them find exactly what they need—gear that performs no matter the conditions.”
But this isn’t just a store. Housed in a rustic cabin, it’s a space that invites you to stay awhile. Michael cold-called the building’s previous owner and used his background in mergers and acquisitions to seal the deal. “Most places worth buying aren’t for sale,” he says. “But I loved the whole look, feel, and vibe of the place. It was a welcoming feeling. We want people to feel at home here.”
Whether online or in-store, every part of the business is built with care. All the inventory in the store is also available online. Once you walk into the shop, you’ll quickly see why Texas Gadget Company is a must-visit for serious outdoorspeople.
“We’re not competing with Bass Pro or Academy,” Michael says. Rather, “I want you to feel like you’re walking in my front door.”
His voice softens. “Every trip is important. You might only get two or three trips a year, and if your gear isn’t up to the task…” he trails off. “Having the right gear makes every excursion as enjoyable as it can be.”
In a world of big box stores and faceless e-commerce, Texas Gadget Company stands as a different kind of outpost: personal, principled, and proud to build something that will last.
Because at its core, Texas Gadget Company isn’t just about selling things. It’s about relationships, family, and building something that lasts.
The right gear and the right community can turn a good outing into a lifelong memory. That’s the kind of legacy Michael and his family are building, one customer and one adventure at a time.
TexasGadgetCompany.com | @texasgadgetco
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Community is as central to the brand as gear. Michael and family envision the store as a gathering place—a true destination. They plan to host happy hours, football watch parties, and educational events like hunter safety courses and fly fishing clinics for kids. “We want to be part of this community, to give back,” Michael says. “We want to host events that bring people together.”
“We want to be the concierge and product expert."
"Having the right gear makes every excursion as enjoyable as it can be.”