Mom-and-daughter shop brings Southern gifts to Spokane
Things you’ll find at Southern Specialties: Home decor, unique art, collectibles, in-house monogramming and warm southern hospitality.
Things you won’t find: Catfish, barbecue and boiled peanuts.
The gift shop owned by mother/daughter duo Jeanne Jones and Lauren Warrick, opened in November in the Manito Shopping Center, just down from Manito Tap House.
Originally from Mississippi, the pair first launched Southern Specialties a few years ago while living in North Carolina.
Neither had any experience owning a business. Warrick enjoyed a career in public health and Jones is a retired special education teacher.
“She took a leave of absence from public health and I took a leave of absence from retirement,” Jones said. “We learned as we went.”
Warrick nodded.
“The best way to learn how to run a business is to buy and sell things.”
She’d briefly lived in Spokane. Her husband, Nick Warrick was born and raised here, and their first child was born here. When the couple decided to return to Spokane, Jones followed, and so did Southern Specialties.
They leased the space in September and opened November 10.
“We moved two houses and a business,” Jones said, shaking her head.
Warrick laughed.
“We’re learning we don’t really thrive on anything but chaos,” she said.
Her mother grinned.
“I’m living on deep breaths and Diet Coke,” she said.
The 1,931 square-foot location features gift ideas for men, women and children, and highlights Southern artists and their wares, as well as locally-made items.
A chandelier at the front of the shop holds history.
“It was my mother and father’s,” said Jones. “It’s moved everywhere I’ve moved.”
Nearby a sign reads “Y’all spoken here.”
Other pieces of Southern heritage include handcrafted, hand-painted Etta B pottery, and the work of Art by Susan, both made in Mississippi. Southern Fried Cotton T-shirts hang from the racks.
Even their Washington-themed pieces have Southern roots.
“Heidi Hensley from Atlanta is going to do custom Washington and Spokane pieces for us,” Jones said.
Local sports get a shout-out with plenty of Seahawk and Gonzaga gift items, and local vendors like Dandles Candles, Spiceologist rubs and Bruttles candies fill a vital niche.
“Shopping local is such a movement in our country,” Warrick said. “But it isn’t always affordable for everyone. We want to cover all price ranges, so people of all budgets can shop here.”
The pair say monogramming is very popular in the South, and they’re happy to offer in-house monogramming on everything from kids’ backpacks, to ladies T-shirts, to dish towels.
They’re also eager to plunge into community life.
In December, customers who brought in donations of socks, hats or gloves for the Union Gospel Mission received 15 percent off their purchase.
“Once a quarter we’ll stay open two hours later and have a Ladies Night,” said Jones. “We’ll have wine and hors d’oeuvres and a raffle, with the proceeds going to a local nonprofit.”
Working with mom might not suit everyone, but Warrick, 34, said, “We’ve been a team for a really long time – it’s been just the two of us for most of my life.”
Her mother agreed.
“We have a very unique relationship,” said Jones, 64. “We’re just easygoing.”
Both say the store has been well-received.
“It’s been a fabulous transition. Everyone’s been so welcoming to us,” said Jones. “And what makes our store different is the welcome you’ll receive here.”