GO LOCAL

Picket Fence

Moving back to Alexander City was something Ellen Gregg was looking forward to after living on the family farm in Hamilton, Alabama, since 1998 to help her parents.

“This is home,” she said.

Soon after she returned, she began thinking of ways to become part of the community. Her years of collecting items from estate sales and a love of antiques inspired her to open a business that fed her passion.

Gregg brought many family heirlooms with her when she moved.

“My family had passed down many beautiful pieces for generations. The only problem was, most of them were very heavy,” said Gregg.

So she reached out to longtime friend and local artist, Charles Forbus, and asked if he knew anyone who could help her move some of the heavy furniture.

“My son, Ethan, can help you,” Forbus recommended.

Little did Gregg know the conversation would spark a friendship and future business partner.

Ethan Forbus was 18 at the time and about to graduate from Benjamin Russell High School, but he had already started his own business − moving furniture.

“I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur, so I started We Haul,” explained the young Forbus.

He’d dedicated his studies at BRHS to the Business Academy, and after winning the largest grant awarded by a board of local business owners, his business teacher encouraged him to embrace his entrepreneurial spirit. So when Gregg called him for help, he headed right over.

“I explained to him that moving antiques was different than moving regular furniture, and I was impressed at how interested he was. I knew I could trust him with some very valuable pieces,” Gregg said.

“My daughter and son-in-law are Marines. They are not close by with my grandchildren, so I just kind of adopted Ethan and think of him as a son,” said Gregg.

Forbus had also started another business: purchasing items he found on Facebook Marketplace and reselling them with free delivery through his We Haul business.

STORY BY ERIN CHESNUTT PHOTOS BY BETSY ILER

When local businessmen Larkin Radney and Kenny Riley contacted Gregg about leasing the retail area inside the Carlisle Drugs building, she called Forbus to see if he would be interested in partnering with her. Although Gregg was a little apprehensive, Forbus was excited about the opportunity, and Picket Fence Antique Mall and Estate Sales became a new business on Main Street on Aug. 1.

The pair joined Main Street Alexander City and started contacting local artists, antique enthusiasts, pottery makers and even a local baker to offer their wares at the location. Vendors rent space in the store by the square foot and bring in items to sell.

The floor is divided into sections that allow the vendors

Décor and More to display what they would like to showcase. Small shelf Left: Vendor booths areas are allocated for local artists and authors, and Gregg showcase furniture, and Forbus take a commission for those sales. A local baker artwork, china and more; Top Right: Gregg creates attractive vignettes with books, knick knacks and other has become a popular addition, selling jams and jellies and other baked goods. There are currently 10 sections rented, but there is room for about 18. “There are a lot of talented people in Alexander City merchandise; Bottom and Tallapoosa County, and we want them to be able to Right: Jewelry by Annie showcase their talent right here at home. We hope that Bartol and other local people will come here to find what they need and keep the artists can be found at money here at home,” Forbus said.Picket Fence Antique Mall and Estate Sales. The official grand opening for Picket Fence is scheduled for Sept. 24. The store will welcome shoppers with samples of popular baked goods; a local musician will entertain, and some of the artists will be on site to display their work. Picket Fence is located at 12 Main St., Alexander City. These newest business owners on Main Street agree that the best part of running the business is getting to know the customers and learning what they would like to find in the store.