Eventually, she got into jewelry sales and developed what would become her hallmark contribution to the industry - the slide bracelet. In the early days, Sissy would drive to Dallas, write a check to purchase antiques, then come back and sell out of the trailer over the weekend to cover the check. What could we do? We decided to have fun with it and have a sale, on the spot.” Unable to hold itself together any longer, the cabin was eventually torn down to make room for store expansion. “It happened very rarely each year, and you never knew exactly when it would be, but for about 30 minutes the air would be filled with termites. Her son, Bill Jones, now the company president, remembers the days when the cabinʼs most prolific residents - the termites - would swarm out of the ancient timbers. “We had to hang a black-and-white checked cloth on the ceiling,” says Sissy, “because whenever an 18-wheeler came by, it would shake the dust off.” Built around 1910, the log cabin was a true original - unfortunately, it was showing the decay of its years. Persuading the owner to rent it to her for $50 per month, she borrowed $1,500 from her uncle, emptied her attic, and set up shop as an antique store. In 1970, Sissy Jones, a divorced mother of two, noticed an old log cabin on the side of the highway, about to be torn down. Weʼre not even sure they use the word “cool” at Sissyʼs, but we think yʼall will agree … this store is definitely “mighty fine.” Talking Cool with Sissy’s Log Cabin Customers come from all 50 states to visit this one-of-a-kind Southern retail experience and spend a few bucks (the $12-million operation saw a 25% increase in sales this past December … you do the math). From extremely humble beginnings, Sissyʼs has grown into one of the most legendary stores in the industry, proving that rustic charm and down-home friendliness can sell just about anything … including fine jewelry. REMEMBER AUNT BEE from The Andy Griffith Show? Imagine she had opened a jewelry store, and youʼve got a pretty good idea of what youʼll find at Sissyʼs Log Cabin: high-quality merchandise, homespun fashion, and a real friendly smile. ft ADDRESS: 2319 Camden Road, Pine Bluff, AR, 71603 TARGET CUSTOMER: Women 35+ with annual income of $50,000 per year ADVERTISING SLOGAN: “Because life is too short for ordinary jewelry.” PHONE: (870) 879-3040 FAX: ((870) 879-1809 URL: 2004 REVENUES: $12 million
OWNERS: Sissy Jones OPENED: 1970 LAST REMODELLING: November 2003 (expanded to current size) STORE AREA: 11,000 sq.
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