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Parker's Merchandise a true treasure trove

It was a phone call from her father-in-law, Phillip Parker, that set the wheels in motion for Stacie and Jamie Parker’s new Littleville business, Parker’s Merchandise.

“Before he got sick, he called us one day and suggested we do a retail store. That’s where we got the idea,” Stacie said. “I hear people talk about when the Parkers were in Newburg and going to their business. So we decided to buy the building early this summer and follow up on his idea.”

Though Jamie’s father passed away last December, he no doubt would be proud of his son and daughter-in-law’s new business venture. The Parkers purchased the former Community Marketplace building on Highway 43 in Littleville in May from Valley State Bank.

They opened the doors on their retail business November 1, with shelves stocked with similar merchandise previously available only at Parker Distributing Company, Inc., located on Highway 24 West.

“It’s a completely separate business and incorporated independently from the other one,” Stacie said. “But we’ll carry much of the same merchandise and some things we don’t carry at the warehouse.”

Parker’s Merchandise offers a treasure trove of new items, most of which are closeout items purchased in bulk.

“For example, Walmart discontinued a very nice line of glass bowls, and we have those for sale at a great discount,” Stacie said. “We also have our line of tarps and brown jersey gloves.”

Stacie, who will run the day-to-day operations of Parker’s Merchandise, and Jamie have four employees: Charlotte Bragwell, Barbara Higgins, John Bunt and Drew Daniels. Parker’s Merchandise is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m.-7 p.m., and beginning on Friday, November 24, there will be special holiday hours of Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday from 1-6 p.m.

Most of the store’s inventory is purchased from Parker Distributing. Stacie explained that her husband has a great resource of contacts and suppliers of merchandise from the many years of experience Phillip had in the business.

Even though the new location is open for business, the Parkers have stayed busy stocking the shelves and adding more inventory daily.

“We’ve got a handle on it, but we still have tons of stuff to put out,” Stacie said. “There’s pallet after pallet at the warehouse waiting to come here.”

Parker said it was a pleasure working with Valley State Bank officials, and she also expressed appreciation for the warm welcome received by Littleville city officials.

“We have built a great relationship with the Town of Littleville,” she said. “Before we even opened our doors, they were like a kid at Christmas, excited about a new business coming to town. They have been super supportive.”

Included in the wide variety of items for sale at Parker’s are two aisles of tools; lots of Alabama and Auburn merchandise; purses, including concealed purses with a spot for a pistol in the back; rustic home décor; military-themed décor; and large buckets of laundry detergent.

Other popular items for sale include animal traps, rods and reels and fishing tackle, car seat covers and floor maps, light bulbs, socks, bamboo sheets and even some Tennessee and Mississippi State merchandise.

The Parkers’ new venture adds to a lengthy list of family members in the business. Jamie operates Parker Distributing, Inc. His brother Jason has two retail locations in Mississippi, and his brother Chris operates Parker Surplus Sales in Loretto, TN.

Parker’s Merchandise is located at 1884 George Wallace Highway in Littleville. You can reach them by phone at 256-398-8939.

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