Business History Month: ABC Autoplex
ABC Autoplex opened its doors in May 2002 by Ronnie Parris who is now in charge of sales at the auto dealership. He started the business after working for a number of years in sales for Price Ford dealership in the sales division. “I sold cars at the Ford dealership here for about 13 years and they sold out, so we came over here and built this.” Parris said. “I had another partner at the time, Holly Swatsell, he...
Business History Month: Northeast Texas Farmers Cooperative
In 1939, Farmers Cooperative Gin Association of Sulphur Springs was founded by the State of Texas. This local agricultural cooperative was charged by its founding members/patrons to serve the predominant Cotton Industry of Hopkins County and Northeast Texas. With a governance structure of a 5-man board of directors and a 100% local ownership, the “Co-op”, as it became generically known, assisted in the evolution of...
Business History Month: Good News Bookstore
In 1974 Thee Christian Bookstore, originally known as Words of Life Bookstore, was opened by Harlan Harred, Mark Miller, and Bill Watts at 319 Main Street. The three were Christian businessmen who saw the need for a Christian bookstore in the city of Sulphur Springs and began pulling their money together to make it happen. The store was nonprofit and the men had one paid employee, their store manager, Bobbie Galligher. In 1976, Gena...
Vandergriff Keynotes I-30 Corridor, TEX-21 Meeting
TEX-21 and the I-30 Corridor Task Force will meet Friday, March 18, 2016, at Texarkana College in the Patman Room of the Truman Arnold Student Center to consider updates on freight movement, the effect of the Panama Canal Expansion on freight movement on Interstate 30, and hear an update on transportation funding. Keynote speaker for the event is Texas Transportation Commissioner Victor Vandergriff. TEX-21 is a statewide organization...
Business History Month: IdziBitsy Bakery
IdziBitsy Bakery is a hometown, “Hopkins County owned, Hopkins County grown” custom bakery in downtown Sulphur Springs, Texas owned by Michelle Idzi. Michelle Idzi’s great great uncle owned a bakery in Louisiana and when he decided to retire in the early 1980s, her grandmother then bought the business deeming her grandmother a second generation baker. While Michelle’s mom was in school full-time her youngest...
Business History Month: Shoe Inn Etc.
The Shoe Inn began exactly where it is now: The Windsor Plaza. The Shoe Inn first opened it’s doors in February of 1986 as one of the first businesses in the plaza, offering the best location to be had in Sulphur Springs at that time. “Everything was new in our shopping center,” Owens said. “That created a lot of curiosity for people, and people just came to check us out and they’re still with us.”...
Business History Month: Bright Star Floors
Mike Miller opened Bright Star Floors nine years ago in a great business location along Interstate 30 East in Sulphur Springs. Mike possessed three decades of experience in the flooring installation business when he opened his doors, and that experience lends a priceless value to the customer who is considering a flooring decision. Today’s new products are the best ever offered because the technology is constantly improving, yet...
Business History Month: Just Country
For the past twenty-plus years, the family business “Just Country” has remained exactly that: country handmade decor. DeOnna Watkins is today’s owner of this successful wood-product designer business in Sulphur Springs, Texas which was begun by her parents Don and Linda Gammill. In 2016, Just Country continues to serve new outlets and find new ways to please those who love expressively quaint home decor....
Business History Month: Party Gear+
Back in 1987, The Paper Factory started in the VF Mall in Sulphur Springs, Texas. After 25 years and several ownership changes, the last company that owned the chain decided small town America was no longer a priority and chose to rely on metropolitan and internet sales. Thad Gregory had managed the store for the last 15 years that The Paper Factory was open and decided there was still a need for a party store in Sulphur Springs and...
Business History Month: Big Smith’s Bar-B-Q & Catfish
Big Smith’s is owned and operated by Steve and Donna Smith of Sulphur Springs, Texas. Steve and Donna have been married for 30 years. They have lived in Hopkins County for 27 years, raised their two sons there, and lovingly call it their home. Steve and Donna are very active with the Boy Scouts. They’ve been leaders for 16 years. The two believe very strongly in being positive role models and helping mold young men with...
