A new business is opening in Jonesboro this summer, and it's sure to bring some fun.
In 2016, Candice and David Meade launched Duke & Fox, an embroidery business specializing in dog and cat collars, pet accessories, and other gifts. The couple ran their business entirely online through their own website and Etsy, and quickly grew to become one of Etsy's top sellers.
Now, after nearly nine years of operating Duke and Fox out of their home, the Mead family plans to open a store in downtown Jonesboro this summer, a decision that seems like it took years.
This summer, Duke & Fox is scheduled to open at 123 E. Main St., Suite 201, Jonesboro.
“A long time ago, when my husband and I were on a date, we were walking down Main Street and talking about starting a small family business here one day,” Candace Mead said. “We had plans to find a brick-and-mortar location in the future, but we weren’t exactly looking for one when we happened upon a storefront in Jonesboro.”
According to Duke & Fox's website, Duke & Fox is a small business that “receives supplies from other small businesses.” The idea came from Candice's imagination, who had a niche interest in embroidery and designing dog collars.
Launching an embroidery business was completely unpredictable, but its success opened many doors for Duke & Fox, being featured in both dog and sewing magazines, and receiving the Retail Excellence Award from the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce in 2019. was awarded. .
Their business has its challenges, but with the opening of a brick-and-mortar store, Duke and Fox are entering new, uncharted territory. Instead of operating solely on orders, you'll have to work on stocking your store with readily available products for new customers, in addition to managing your already booming Etsy marketplace.
Duke and Fox specializes in dog and cat collars, pet accessories, and other gifts.
“Everything takes time, and opening a store is no exception,” said David Meade. “We are passionate about all things dogs and love interacting with our customer base, many of whom are repeat customers from all over the country.”
Opening a storefront means a lot to small businesses, and the Duke and Fox teams are looking forward to Jonesboro taking their mission to the next level.
“There's nothing like building face-to-face customer relationships,” says David. “That’s what makes small businesses so successful in this country.”
At the end of the day, the Mead family is looking forward to bringing their passion to Jonesboro, a city that means so much to them.
“We love Jonesboro and want to not only have a successful in-store business, but also be active in the community,” David said. “There's a real sense of pride and community that has developed on Main Street, and I truly believe that it will continue to grow. And we want to be a part of that growth.”
“We want Duke & Fox to be something Jonesboro can be proud of,” Candice said. “We're definitely proud of that and we're grateful for the town of Jonesboro.”
Duke and Fox is scheduled to open at 123 E. Main St., Suite 201, Jonesborough. For more information on the Duke and Fox story and products available for purchase, please visit www.dukeandfox.com.
