My name is Lindsey Shirley. I am a senior at the University of North Alabama majoring in marketing. I am the student intern here with Florence Main Street. Being in business school, I find it interesting learning about how businesses began and how they have succeeded. During my time with Main Street I will be interviewing businesses, new and old, in downtown Florence and sharing with you their keys to success! Recently I had the pleasure to speak with the lovely ladies at the Surprise Store. Amanda Allison is the owner of the Surprise Store. Before they opened, it had been Florence Hardware for around forty years. In August 1980, Amanda's father purchased all of their inventory and auctioned it then opened the Surprise Store. She has actually worked there since then. In August they will be celebrating 36 years of operation. The Surprise Store offers Circle E candles, Aromatique, Claire Burke, Oil Paintings, artificial flowers, cemetery flowers, and they do custom arrangements. They are currently preparing for spring, which is one of their busiest times of the year because of decorations at cemeteries that occur usually around May.
Before meeting with Amanda and Lorie Lowry, her only employee, I had drafted up some questions to ask during the interview. 1. How have you managed to maintain your business so long? Amanda and Lorie agreed that the success of the Surprise Store relies on the friendly service, the quality of their products and services, and the willingness to satisfy customers’ needs and wants.2. What obstacles has your business had to overcome over the past years? In 1998, Wise Alloys announced they planned to buy Reynolds Metal Company in Florence. The citizens of Florence were concerned about the future of their employment status, if they would be laid off. Amanda said this was one of the obstacles they had to face. She said during that time she and other businesses couldn’t sell anything. Other hardships were similar with job closings at the paper mill and the state of the economy over the years.3. What has been the most rewarding part of your business? This was one of the easier questions. Without hesitation Lorie and Amanda said the best part has been the friendships they have gained with their frequent customers.4. How has your business impacted the community? Amanda said the Surprise Store offers a service that is no longer available in many areas. Also unlike big stores, they are able to provide a more intimate experience to their customers.5. How has the community impacted your business? The community has supported the Surprise Store for over 35 years now.6. What advice would you give someone who wanted to start their own business?Starting a business takes a lot of hard work and time. Amanda told me if you aren’t a hard worker, you are not going to succeed. Lorie added that you get out what you put in. 7. If you were to go back to the beginning, would you still choose downtown Florence, AL for your business? Why? Amanda was quick to answer this question with definitely. She said she loves the atmosphere of downtown and it is nice to be a part of the history.8. Would you change anything about the path of your business or career?Amanda said that the store is always changing. They change with the different trend and with the all of the seasons.It is clear that anyone looking to start their own business could learn a lot from Amanda at the Surprise Store. If you haven’t been to the Surprise Store you should check it out! They are located on Tennessee Street and are open Monday-Saturday 9am until 5pm.