FEATURED COVER STORY
Real Deal Home Store
W
by Jodi Varnado
ith autumn in full swing and winter just
“Our business is only an extension of the ministry the Lord
around the corner, there is no better time to
has called us to, and a means for us to minister Christ’s love
bring the joy of the holiday season to our
to the people who come through our doors.”
homes. We can finally embrace the chilly temperatures
You will be welcomed into Real Deal Home Store with
outside by bundling up on the front porch, gathering
a friendly smile—a comforting shopping environment that
around the backyard bonfire, or inviting those we love
is community and family focused. If you are lucky, you will
inside for a warm meal around the dinner table. Real Deal
even be greeted by Birdie, the Powell family’s 120-pound
Home Store is a wonderful one-stop shop for all of your
Anatolian Shepard/Great Pyrenees, who has her very own
decorating desires—inside and outside your home.
special space in the design area. You might even spot her
Owner and operator of Real Deal Home Store, Jim Powell, has served the LaFayette community for twenty-
behind the checkout counter helping with one of the family. Since Real Deal Home Store opened in 1998, Powell
four years. “Our staff has over ninety-four years of
and his family have specialized in personalized silk
combined experience designing floral arrangements and
floral arrangements. These arrangements are handmade
home decorating,” said Powell. Powell’s family are fourth
celebrations of life, available in a cemetery vase cone and
generation retailers who work year-round to make every
a headstone saddle, that will showcase the beauty of your
decorating season special.
loved one forever. Sympathy flower arrangements start at
Powell runs Real Deal Home Store with Tracy, his
$25, which is half the cost of competing suppliers. Real Deal
partner and wife of thirty-eight years. They can be found
Home Store can also deliver to local funeral homes, allowing
conversing with customers, along with their two daughters,
for a more seamless process.
Krista and Amanda, who represent Real Deal Home Store’s
Although Real Deal Home Store is known for their
team of designers. When Powell is not at the store, you can
unique services, the storefront is filled with décor items for
find him teaching at Harbor Lights Church. “We have been
every need, including small furniture pieces, wall hangings,
serving for the last fifteen years, preaching the Word of God
tabletop accessories, candles, and gifts. What more could
and pouring His love into the community,” said Powell.
you ask for? Real Deal Home Store has it all. According to
22 // November 2021
