Editorial Team
5 min read
If you’re hitting the road for a summer adventure, traveling the countryside, like we are, or just taking a weekend drive, be sure to support local merchants.
In this Meet the Merchant post, we spotlight 9 local merchants in the South and Southwest who manage and grow their businesses with Clover.
Arkansas
Find yourself in the Ozarks or the Timberlands of Arkansas? Take some time out for local culture—museums, theaters, and coffee.
Onyx Coffee Lab, Rogers, Fayetteville, and Bentonville, Arkansas
Starting out as a roaster for other cafes, Onyx discovered the public really liked their coffee beans, too. So, in addition to supplying beans to 500-600 cafes, the folks at Onyx also run three stand-alone coffee shops and a fourth inside The Momentary—a contemporary art museum/performance venue. Read the interview and stop in for some beans.
Louisiana
Out making a splash in the Gulf, fishing in the bayou, or visiting N’awlins? Hop over to Hammond or Baton Rouge for a brew or a dish of jambalaya.
The Red White & Brew, Hammond, Louisiana
Starting in 1996 as a small bottle shop with a wine tasting bar, The Red White & Brew was purchased by Todd Delaune and his wife in 2012. Since then, the Delaunes have expanded their inventory to offer about 1,000 beer brands and 1,500 wines. They’ve also taken time to teach customers about the products. And it sure has kept customers coming back—the business has grown over five times in volume. Read the interview.
The Jambalaya Shoppe, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
As a franchise consultant, Kathy Fives helped the owners of The Jamabalaya Shoppe rebrand their local family-run restaurant chain. She enjoyed the product and the family so much, she bought into the franchise. Now, she and her husband own two locations in Baton Rouge. Read the interview.
Texas
Find yourself deep in the heart of Texas? Be sure to look up these merchants in San Angelo, Denton, and Amarillo.
Reyna’s Tacos, San Angelo, Texas
After running a food truck, Leslie Reyna and her husband decided to convert a gas station into a restaurant with outdoor patio, turf, and a serving window, along with custom tables and benches. They’ve created more ambiance by adding a 15-foot inflatable movie screen to show Cowboys games on the weekends and host the occasional movie night. While tacos are the lifeblood of this business, the ambiance sets the mood for a really enjoyable evening. Read the interview.
Hair Studio 18, Denton, Texas
With a rich family tradition of hair styling, Kat Jones opened her own salon in the college town of Denton, Texas. Recognized as one of the top three hair salons in the county, Hair Studio 18 is a thriving salon that survived the pandemic because of its commitment to knowing and staying in touch with customers. Read the interview.
JoJoseph Photography, Amarillo, Texas
Richard and Mindy Nahki, of JoJoseph Photography in Amarillo, Texas, specialize in helping families capture memories–their family history. Through the use of various portraiture styles, the Nahkis are able to capture good, true, raw moments–those moments when people are just being themselves. Read the interview.
New Mexico
Whether you’re hiking in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, camping in the Santa Fe National Forest, or taking in some O’Keeffe at a local gallery, plan to stop in on these merchants for a gluten-free treat or a cup of joe.
Revolution Bakery, Santa Fe, New Mexico
An alchemist with dough, Dionne Christian, owner of Revolution Bakery in Santa Fe, rebelled against the idea that you have to give something up when you give up wheat. Driven to give people a specialty product they’re not able to get anyplace else, Dionne offers her community delicious baked goods—completely free of gluten. Read the interview.
Iconik Coffee Roasters, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Since Sean Ham of Iconik Coffee Roasters in Santa Fe, New Mexico, came on board to salvage the struggling cafe, Iconik has become, well, iconic within its community. With a diverse and loyal customer base, Iconik is a hub for remote workers, artists, musicians, and guests from all social strata and age groups. Its unique vibe is a fusion of lively music, comfortable seating, and a full menu. They offer accessible food and coffee expertise—without any snobbishness. Read the interview.
Arizona
With its natural beauty and restorative resorts, Arizona also offers innovative and integrative wellness centers, like this one in Flagstaff.
Mountain Medicine Integrative Wellness Center, Flagstaff, Arizona
A Flagstaff native, Bret Wojciak of Mountain Medicine Integrative Wellness Center, was reared with a focus on public service. After spending about 5 years as a professional river guide in Utah, Bret studied at the Naturopathic Medical College in Portland, Oregon. Then, he returned to his hometown to open a clinic in and for his community. Read the interview.
Read more of our Meet the Merchant stories for real-life stories of small businesses in action all over the country. Want to be featured in this series? Fill out our questionnaire, and if we can include you in a future interview cycle, we’ll send you an invitation!
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