Contact: Ginger LeCompte
Phone: 337-290-2798
For Immediate Release – December 1, 2009
Hatched from Small Business Incubator,
Gift Shop is Born in Opelousas
(Opelousas, La) Acadiana Country Gifts & Fashions, LLC has opened its doors in the downtown historic district of Opelousas, at 121 W. Landry St. The official Grand Opening is scheduled for Thursday, December 17th , with ribbon-cutting by the Chamber of Commerce combined with a Business After Hours event from 5:30 pm till 7:30 pm.
As one of the city’s newest businesses, Acadiana Country Gifts & Fashions is the offspring of a business originally conceived in the small bayou community of Arnaudville less than a year ago.
Co-owner, Ginger LeCompte states, “The original format for forming the business was derived from a “co-op” business model. We partnered with five other women to start a retail gift shop in Arnaudville, with each bringing in inventory, but sharing overhead expenses.” The idea, cites LeCompte, was to enable each partner the freedom to develop and grow, preparing each woman to eventually branch out on her own. “Small business incubators are very popular now, given the volatility of our economy”, adds Cathy Duplechin, the other half of this venture. “The experience prepared us to expand, but we were waiting for the right place and time to bring our vision to Opelousas.”
The right place is the Opelousas historic district, as city planners and the Chamber of Commerce work to encourage business development in this area. Timing the opening around the holiday season was also in the grand plan since the gift shop caters to shoppers looking for unique gifts and exclusive fashions, accessories and collectables.
Cathy Duplechin of Opelousas and Ginger LeCompte of Arnaudville work for the St. Landry-Evangeline United Way when they are not manning the gift shop on weekends. Their affiliation with, and passion for the non-profit sector provides an even more unique element to Acadiana Country Gifts & Fashions. Their mission statement acknowledges the importance of private business partnerships with non-profits, and to demonstrate their commitment to this philosophy, the shop will always feature designated items for sale that will support local charities.
Acadiana Country Gifts and Fashions, LLC is open from now till Christmas, Monday-Friday from 1:00 p.m. till 7:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. till 6:00 p.m.
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Contact: Ginger LeCompte
Phone: 337-290-2798
Press Release – For Immediate Release - Jan. 27, 2009
Six Local Women Find a Way to Make it Work
(Arnaudville, La) With a new approach to opening a business, six local women are poised to create a business model for the times we are experiencing.
Using some of the principles of a co-op business, the six partners each bring a unique style and product to one of the newest businesses in Acadiana. Located in Arnaudville, Acadiana Country Crafts opens Friday, February 6. The gift shop will provide unique gifts, items from local artisans and crafters, jewelry, trendy clothing lines, religious and spiritual gifts, jellies and jams, and balloon bouquets. Gift baskets and a large array of gifts can be purchased online, as well.
According to one of the partners, Jacqueline Alvares of Arnaudville, “I look at it as six small businesses under one roof – like a business incubator.” Another partner, Pricilla Arnaud, also of Arnaudville states, “To get started, each of us pooled our resources for the overhead expenses and some of the capital expenses, but we are independent when it comes to the profits – each earns the profits from the products, merchandise and services that we each bring in.” On matters related to the overall operation, the ladies decide together – democratically or by consensus.
“In this precarious economy, it is clear that we needed to think out of the box. If I wanted to open a part-time business, I would not be able to by myself. But, uniting with people of like mind, it is possible now for six of us to open a business. This may be a model that will work for others who may be thinking of starting a business”, sites Ginger LeCompte of Arnaudville.
Cathy Duplechin of Opelousas, Delores Arnaud and Linda Rhodes, both of Arnaudville round out the six-woman partnership, each contributing such items as hand painted ceramics, re-born baby dolls, wreaths, and antique and vintage collectibles.
Acadiana Country Crafts will be open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and is located at 1506 Courtableau Hwy. (Hwy 93), off of I-49 (Sunset/Grand Coteau exit).
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