T&T Roots Opens First Storefront in Lufkin
This past year has been good to Luke Temple of T&T Roots. On Oct. 18, he was crowned the first-ever Texas Terpene King for his Legendary Platinum OG Rosin, which placed first in the Taste of Texas Hemp Cup’s premiere concentrates competition.
Temple launched his organic hemp farm in 2021, and on Nov. 1, he achieved a new milestone — opening a storefront in downtown Lufkin. A ribbon cutting will take place Jan. 9 at the store, located at 120-A E. Lufkin Ave.
“It’s been phenomenal,” Temple said. “I’m probably going to start opening more days of the week.”
For now, the store is open Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Temple sells products from other Texas brands in his store, such as Tejas Tonic, Oak Cliff Cultivators and Kache.
“Everything is Texas farmers, Texas owned, Texas branded,” he said.
Things have certainly taken a turn for the better, as it wasn’t long ago that the local Chamber of Commerce denied T&T Roots’ vendor application for the Texas Forest Festival — an East Texas tradition that takes place in Lufkin.
But as the old saying goes, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!” So Temple joined the Lufkin Chamber and began winning the community over with his hemp-based health and wellness products. Before long, T&T was nominated for newcomer business of the year.
“Once I joined the Chamber, I really started changing everybody’s point of view, and they could see it was helping them and helping their friends,” Temple said.
As for future plans, Temple said his next goal is to open a store in Nacogdoches. He is also in talks to help bring THC-infused beverage options to a local brewery.
