LOCAL TREASURE |
MICHELLE BANSE STOKES
Potter’s Western Store Local love story lives on through classic, mom-and-pop shop. PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMILY HENDERSON Having a long-lasting marriage is a big accomplishment in and of itself, but when your spouse is also your business partner, it makes success that much sweeter.
Henry and Pam’s love story began years earlier while working a mutual summer job. The couple still retells their story today, with a spark of love in their eyes.
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Although they won’t admit it, Henry and Pamela Potter are icons in Columbus, Tex- “He had just finished at A&M,” shared Pam. “He was running the swimming pool for as. It’s easy to want to emulate this active, beautiful the summer, just to pick up a little extra cash, because Christian couple and admire not only what they have he already had a teaching job lined up. I was teaching swimming lessons for Red Cross and also doing private done to help shape their community, but that they do lessons on the side because I wanted to go to college.” it while holding on to a successful western store when We’ve done it, we’ve many others may have given up and shut the doors. enjoyed it, and we’re The old-school mom-and-pop shop, Potter’s Western “She applied for the manager job, but of course, she still hanging in there. Store, welcomes patrons into a bygone era of outwas a girl,” said Henry. “At that time, women didn’t standing customer service and handwritten receipts. usually sit on the lifeguard stand. They sold tickets and cleaned the dressing rooms. I was a man, so I got the “We’re kind of a dinosaur,” said Henry with a grin. “I guess you could say, we’ve job. I hired Pam as my assistant. And, about halfway through the summer, I did done it, we’ve enjoyed it, and we’re still hanging in there. My dad opened Potter’s let her sit on the lifeguard stand. I started picking her up on the way to work and Western Store in ‘65. Pam and I were teaching. We bought the store in January of eventually asked her to get a drink and hamburger with me one evening after we ’74.” closed the pool.”
22 | COLUMBUS, TEXAS
