She opened for business on one of the darkest days in the country’s history. She weathered a deep recession and the effects of a competitive online market.
Betsy Custis, the entrepreneur, has persevered.
“In some aspects, it’s gone really fast, and sometimes it seems like it’s been 10 years,” said Custis, who owns and operates Vintage Antiques Custom Framing & Auburn Coin Shop, 101 D St. NE.
Custis and friends recently celebrated her milestone with an open house.
For Custis, it began on a difficult Tuesday.
She had signed the lease, got the keys to open her store and was getting settled when everything unraveled. Terrorists had attacked the World Trade Center and Pentagon.
“When we woke up that morning, we were in sheer, utter shock,” Custis said of the 9/11 atrocity. “We went to open anyway, but only for a half-day. Nobody was out, so we went home early and watched it on television. We were all so devastated.”
From humble beginnings, Custis would build her clientele, embrace the local arts community and make a go of it. She continues to take pride in the quality and creativity of her craft, framing a wide variety of projects that includes fine art, prints, posters, photography or sentimental keepsakes.
A Pacific resident of 27 years, Custis raised a family here. She thanks her many customers and friends for their support.
“I have a lot of faith, and I have a wonderful client base,” she said. “My customers are very loyal. I am very fortunate to have the customers that I do.”
To learn more about Custis’ shop, call 253-333-6337 or visit www.AntiquesCoinsAndFraming.com.
Must be the good shoes
Dell Gibson’s secret to longevity as a small business owner is simple.
“Having the right products brings the right customers,” said Gibson, who operates Shoe Forest & More, 335 E. Main St., Auburn. “That’s how I made it work for me.”
Gibson recently celebrated her 10-year anniversary.
She officially opened on Aug. 7, 2001. The store name was created by her daughter, April Morgan, a former shoe designer for Skechers.
Shoe Forest & More is one of the largest Naot dealers in the region, with an inventory of men’s and women’s shoes, size 4 to 13. It also carries arch-supported flip flops, purses, wallets, accessories, clothing and the amusing Old Guys Rule T-shirt line.
Gibson enjoys her work and plans to be around for many years to come.
“It’s been fabulous,” she said.
Shoe Forest & More can be found on Facebook.
Elsewhere
• Dee Munoz (pictured) has joined Cheryl Créson at Créson’s Barber Shop, 222 E. Main St., in the Arcade building. She has been a licensed cosmetologist for 37 years and offers expertise in a variety of cuts, from clipper and scissor to the textured look of a Justin Bieber style. She also works on young men’s hair with fades, mohawks and fauxhawks.
“I care about quality and do exactly what the customer wants … in most cases,” Munoz said.
“If in doubt, try me out,” she added.
Munoz is at the shop Tuesday through Saturday.
For more information, call 253-833-0732.
• Mayor Pro Tem Sue Singer and Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce members joined employees at Devcon Security to recently celebrate its grand opening of its Auburn branch, 1604 15th St. SE, Building, Suite 101.
Devcon Security held a ceremonial ribbon cutting Sept. 22.
Devcon Security Services Corp provides installation, monitoring and related electronic security services. It has more than 50 branches nationwide with approximately 750 employees.
To learn more, visit www.devconsecurity.com.
• Sam’s Club is in the gas business.
The superstore chain officially opens its fuel station next to Walmart and the Auburn SuperMall on Sept. 29. City and business leaders joined store staff in an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Sept. 27.
Gas pumps are available to Sam’s Club members only. Stations hours are 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.
For more information, call 1-800-881-9180 or visit www.samsclub.com.
• The state’s Employment Security Department awarded $11.9 million to the Workforce Development Council of Seattle/King County to help workers upgrade their skills and find work.
The funding for fiscal year July 2011 through June 2012 comes from the federal Department of Labor through the Workforce Investment Act. It’s down about $286,000 from last year due to federal budget cuts that have slashed nearly $3.3 million statewide.
The workforce development council uses the funds to provide counseling, skill assessments, job-search assistance and training to laid-off workers, low-income adults, and low-income or disadvantaged young people. The services are available through local WorkSource offices.
