It’s never too early to get the Christmas shopping out of the way, especially when everything is 25 percent off.
Debec’s/Sew Be It will take part in Mistletoe & Magic, ongoing until 8 tonight. The event is part of a collaborative with the Main Street Association, and also includes Japonica Gallery/Signature’s Custom Framing, Alford’s Flowers, Gulf/South Gallery, Holmes Stationers, Collector’s Corner/Edgewood Interiors, Curves, Dazzlin’ Dancewear, Friendgirl Things, P.J.’s Coffee/Pump & Savor, Roger’s Western Store Selman’s Jeweler’s and Whistlestop Gifts.
“It’s a big day. It kicks off our Christmas season,” Sew Be It owner Barbara Simmons said. “Last year was the best year we’ve had in Mistletoe and Magic, and we hope this year will surpass it.”
“We don’t go into it together, but we tend to feed off the crowds,” said Debec’s co-owner Carol Anne Graves.
Debec’s offers a variety of products, but the big-ticket items are purses, jewelry and candles.
Sew Be It offers monogramming on a number of gifts, including baby and children’s clothing, tote bags, purses and other items.
With both in the same building, Simmons and Graves feel like they offer a unique, one-stop shop.
“Give us a chance,” Simmons said. “They’ll be pleased with the selection.”
The businesses also are taking part in the Home for the Holidays shopping campaign.
When debec’s opened in 2002, Graves’ work was mostly behind the scenes. It was the brainchild of her daughter, Rebecca Greer, and daughter-in-law, Deb Graves.
“It was a dream Rebecca had,” said Carol Anne Graves. “She pretty much instigated it.”
Greer said the idea came from shopping trips outside McComb.
“I knew that at that time, McComb didn’t have anything like this,” she said.
It’s not often that parents have the opportunity to pursue careers with their children, but Graves and Greer made it clear that boundaries are a necessity.
“It’s got it’s pluses and minuses, but I think the good outweighs the bad,” Graves said. “It’s a different relationship. We’ve got a working relationship here at the store, and then we’ve got — outside the store — a mother and daughter relationship.”
Simmons’ journey into the retail world was a little different. The retired McComb High School English teacher had been looking for another career toward the end of her teaching profession, so she bought a monogramming machine and started working from home.
“I’ve always been interested in selling and being creative,” Simmons said. “I’ve always been interested in monogramming. I think people just like to feel special and, personalized gifts make people feel like they were thought about.”
Sew Be It joined with Debec’s at the stores’ location at 529 Delaware Ave. in 2005.
The biggest challenge both businesses face is not an overabundance of competition or an economy that hasn’t fully recovered. Instead, it is deciding what products to offer.
“It’s knowing what to order, what sells, how much is going to sell, whether to try something new,” Graves said. “It’s just a guessing game.”
Both owners emphasize their individuality and lack of competition, though they carry a few similar products.
“We’re both unique,” said Simmons. “It’s two separate businesses that complement each other.”
