The allure of fashions and fine apparel for women inspired Margaret Talkington to establish a store that became one of the most prestigious businesses in West Texas.
It was known nationwide and drew shoppers to Lubbock to look for unique dresses.
During an introduction of the Margaret and J.T. Talkington Gallery of Business in August at the Science Spectrum, Margaret described the fashions on display as classics.
“We collected them from all over the world in our travels to buy for the store,” she told The Avalanche-Journal.
Talkington, who passed away Wednesday, was born Nov. 12, 1915. She graduated from the University of Texas in 1936, and married J.T. Talkington in 1937.
Her first career was that of a school teacher of English and Spanish at Mesquite and Kilgore.
She and her husband moved to Lubbock soon after World War II ended and opened the fashion store, Margaret’s, in 1946 at 26th Street and Boston Avenue.
In 1954, the store moved to 2002 Broadway, where it remained an institution in Lubbock for 40 years.
Her awards reflected the esteem in which she was held in this region.
She was presented the W.H. Tinney Ethics in Business Award in 2000. This year, she received the prestigious George Mahon Award from the Lubbock Professional Chapter of the Association for Women in Communications, and was honored by the Texas Education Agency for volunteering time, talents and skills to help improve public schools in her community.
She also was a contributor to charitable projects, and provided funding this year for the upgrading of the Early Learning Centers of Lubbock. One of the schools was named in her honor.
Namesakes in Lubbock include the Park Place Sculpture at Talkington Plaza on the Texas Tech campus; Talkington Hall at the Legacy Event Center; The Margaret Talkington School for Young Women Leaders in the Lubbock Independent School District; and the J.T. and Margaret Talkington Early Learning Center.
Talkington, in years past, contributed toys and equipment for the Early Learning Centers, and this year donated the majority of the funds needed for a general renovation of the four centers.
J.T. Talkington passed away March 6, 2005.
During the dedication of the Margaret and J.T. Talkington Gallery of Business at the Science Spectrum, Margaret talked still of the world of fashion, revealing she was keeping up with trends even in retirement.
“Fashions change,” she said then. “As time changes, fashion changes.”
To comment on this story:
ray.westbrook@lubbockonline.com • 766-8711
shelly.gonzales@lubbockonline.com • 766-8747
