BIZ // charm
Small Business, Big Personality // by Kendra Wright
IMANI KHAYYAM
Loyal customers of The Pine Cone, which Molly Hughes and Hope Lovelace own, have made the store part of the Jackson community for more than 30 years—even through multiple moves.
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or Hope Lovelace, who owns The Pine Cone with her mother, Molly Hughes, the shop has been a part of their family for nearly as long as its more than 30 years in business in Jackson. “It started out with two schoolteachers who decided to sell gifts in 1983, and within that year, one of the ladies died,� Lovelace says. “My mother started working in 1984 and just instantly
// by Tommy Burton
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July - August 2015 // The City’s Business and Lifestyle Magazine
COURTESY JACKSON ZOO
Zoo It Better
became the buyer, the merchandiser and the fulltime person with the owner. So, (she) has basically been there since the beginning.� Lovelace began working there full-time in 1993, and then, in 1999, she and her mother purchased the store. After five years living in Aspen, Colo., she moved back to Mississippi in 2009 to help Hughes run The Pine Cone. “She’s had two knee replacements since
I’ve left, and my dad says he hasn’t seen her because she hasn’t left the store,â€? Lovelace says. “So, I came back to make her life easier and mine, too.â€? The Pine Cone has been in six locations since opening, moving to Deville Plaza just before Easter, though Lovelace believes this one will stick. She attributes The Pine Cone’s longevity to its loyal patrons. “We’re very appreciative of all of our long-time customers,â€? she says. “We’ve had some customers for at least 22 years, and I still see people in here every single day.â€? Of course, no store could be a success without good products on the shelves. Lovelace says The Pine Cone has a huge variety of items, but the things its known for are Peter’s Pottery, which is made in Mississippi, and the Ronaldo Designer Jewelry. It also has a full-time floral designer who does wreaths, table arrangements, seasonal decorations, and custom mantle, dining-room table, mailbox or front-door dĂŠcor. For The Pine Cone, though, a friendly atmosphere is always the key ingredient. â€œâ€Ś We don’t do everything as fancy as everybody else, but we just focus on doing it right,â€? Lovelace says. The Pine Cone (5056 Interstate 55 N., 601.713.1421) is open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information, find the shop on Facebook and Instagram.
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