How sweet it is that Jennine Searcy has an opportunity to work with her mother.
Searcy works side by side with her in a restored downtown building at The Chocolate Factory in Market House Square.
Jennine was 6 when her mother started the family business in Dixon Springs, Ill. Twenty-five years ago her mother, Sandra Smith, moved The Chocolate Factory to Paducah at 123 Broadway, the current location of Doe’s Eat Place.
The change of location for The Chocolate Factory to the current site came 11 years ago when the business moved one block over and around to the other side of the Market House building to 109 Market House Square. But, oh, what a change it was to move into a building that had been vacant for 30 years. The “before and after” pictures of the site, once home to Moonies Restaurant, are unbelievable.
The end result of the restoration is a warm and cozy shop, complete with original tin ceilings now painted gold, to sell specialty chocolates and other assorted confections. Beautiful old shelves, originally cabinets in a pharmacy, along with sturdy counters built when the business opened in Illinois are just perfect to display the store’s goodies.
The Chocolate Factory is truly a family business, with Searcy’s sister, Shirley Caldwell, as well as other family members helping. Searcy says they all make decisions together — and also go out to eat, see movies with each other and go on vacations together. The family that makes and sells sweets together, stays together.
Another family business in downtown Paducah that has a mother and grown child working together is Groundfloor Shoes. The store, 206 Broadway, is in its 32nd year of business selling specialty shoes. Co-owners Beth Devillez and her son, Scott Devillez, have customers from the region come for the individualized attention — plus, many folks just stop by to visit the friendly pair.
Beth Devillez says her goal is to offer shoes that are attractive enough for the eyes, while being comfortable enough for the feet. Both she and her son say they enjoy working together. Interestingly, both admit to thinking alike. She gives feedback to him on women’s styles to carry, while he does the same on shoes he thinks men will enjoy.
Both say they cannot think of a single time the two have had a disagreement, but if they did, it certainly did not last long. Both can relate funny stories from when movie stars have visited Groundfloor Shoes. He also likes to talk about the changes in downtown Paducah that he has had a “front row seat” to watch.
Scott Devillez used to travel out of town to buy shoes for the store to sell. These days, salespeople come to them to market goods. Each Devillez likes dealing with the sales representatives who come to the shop, developing one-on-one relationships. And, one-on-one relationships with their customers as well as salespeople is what the two enjoy about their business.
Another mother/son combo working together in downtown Paducah is Judith Mastera and her son, Shane Mastera, who operate Shane Lee Inc., Their store is in the space formerly occupied by Peppermills on Market House Square.
Judith Mastera, the designer for much of the merchandise, has been manufacturing clothes for 27 years. Four years ago, the two, who have been working together for 18 years, started selling fabric at the quilt show in Paducah.
Last year they decided to rent space in Peppermills for a month. Their interesting assortment of clothing and gift items were received so well they decided to stay in the location year round.
An interesting tidbit about the business is the fact that Becky Shields, who works for them in Shane Lee Inc., is joined by two daughters who work in the business also.
Another interesting note is that the name of the business, Shane Lee Inc., is a combination of Shane’s name and that of his brother, Lee Payton.
The Shane Lee label of clothing is sold on three continents. Judith Mastera, who actually owns the corporation, says she especially enjoys working on the window and store displays in the Paducah location. Plus, she and Shane enjoy a good working relationship.
Another two sets of family members in downtown Paducah can be found at Cassity’s, at 115 S. 2nd St., and at Hoskins Coins and Jewelry, 120 S. 3rd St.
Marilyn Cassity and her mother, Lorene Cassity, enjoy a great relationship working at Cassity’s, Marilyn’s shop on Market House Square. The business features fine ladies apparel and accessories. The building she eventually bought has housed everything from a lunchroom to a whiskey warehouse many years ago.
Marilyn Cassity says she has believed in the future of the downtown area for quite some time, just feeling in her heart that the historic area around the Market House was a retail opportunity.
She said she and her mother, who had operated Morgan’s, a dress shop in Benton, work well together. They seem to have similar goals and visions about running a business. Marilyn Cassity says that having a chance to work with her mother is like having Mother’s Day every day of the year.
As for Hoskins Coin and Jewelry, Linda Duff and her brother, Ronnie Hoskins (as well as Ronnie’s wife, Donna), all work with parents Charles and Dorris.
Dorris Hoskins says it is just great to work with family. She also has seen a lot of changes in downtown and is glad that her family can be a helpful part of the community.
Each member of the Hoskins family says that none has just one job to do. Instead, everyone works together so each can pursue the particular aspects of the business that interest.
Jenna Wise of Paducah writes for Low-Down and Posh.
