With quaint, hometown businesses quickly becoming a thing of the past, Derrick and Scarlett Merritt are hoping to prove that a small business can not only make it, but thrive. To do that, they will need the support of local residents.
The couple recently purchased Rustic-Re-Do and officially re-opened the store for business as Rustic Re-Do & Décor August 20. Past customers can expect some of the same ambience as before, but with a ton of new offerings. New customers will love the selection of farmhouse crafts served up alongside rustic décor.
“My wife and I chose this business because it seemed to choose us,” said Derrick. “We were planning to rent the front of the old booker building to sell antiques, coffee, and to re-purpose furniture. We were going to call it Junk N Java. However, we didn't go through with it and then a few months later we saw that Rustic Re-Do had opened. So, we went on with life.”
Derrick went on to become a full-time real estate broker with The Real Estate Firm in the Maynardville office. Scarlett is a stay at home “GiGi” with their four-year-old granddaughter, Everleigh, and sells crafts and paintings on the side.
But life wasn’t finished with helping this couple fulfill a dream.
When Derrick got a call from the owner of Rustic Re-Do asking for help selling the business, he and Scarlett spent time in some long talks and prayer before deciding to make the purchase. Derrick says it seemed like a great fit for several reasons.
“Scarlett said she was kind of wanting to go back to some type of work outside the home. She has done crafts, paintings, vinyl signs and shirts, and even some furniture projects over the years for other people. “She is a very talented artist and is definitely the creative one in the family.”
The couple say that Everleigh is now old enough to be at the store with them.
“She also loves to craft, paint, and interact with people,” said Derrick. “We'll even have some of her crafts for sale in the store. If you come in and can't buy something from her, she will probably just give it to you.”
Derrick opened an eBay store a little over a year ago that has grown tremendously. He plans to move all of those items, vintage toys, electronics, games, some clothes, baseball cards, Nascar collectibles, and pretty cool stuff from the 80's and 90's, to the upper level of Rustic Re-Do & Decor.
“I plan to eventually open the upstairs portion to the public, said Derrick. “It's going to take me close to a month to get everything moved and set up.”
Derrick and Scarlet are excited about the new venture as it will grant them time and opportunity to work together while doing something they love. The couple plan to travel to small towns across East Tennessee and other states to source items to sell in the store.
Scarlett is a Union County Girl through and through. She grew up in Luttrell and graduated from Maynardville in 1989. The couple met that same year and celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary this year. They have two adult children who graduated from Union County High School.
“We all live locally, worship locally, work locally, and own a local business.”
Derrick also pastors at Beulah Missionary Baptist Church in Maynardville on Raccoon Valley Rd.
“We just want to first thank God for all His goodness and want to invite everyone to come and see us at Rustic Re-Do & Décor.”
The store number is 865-256-0275. The Merritts say that if the store is closed and you really need something call them because they may be able to meet a customer at the store since they live close by.
“We do not want to lose the opportunity to serve any customer,” said Derrick.
Current hours of operation will be: Thursday 11-5, Friday 11-5, Saturday 10-2, and closed Sunday through Wednesday.
“We may expand these hours due to demand and we will be more than happy to do that,” said Derrick. “We are really hoping the community that we love will come out and support us. We always try to shop local and give back to our community. All of our businesses over the years have been based here in Maynardville.”
Rustic Re-Do will stay the same except officially, and on FB, it will be Rustic Re-Do & Decor. They will be expanding some services and offering many new ones. One new service is a live Facebook event every 1st and 3rd Tuesday from 7-9 pm. The Facebook page is Rustic Re-Do & Décor.
Scarlett will be offering Painting Parties hosted at the store or a location of the clients choosing. The parties held at the store will be limited to twelve attendees due to space.
The store will offer custom furniture painting. There is currently a waiting list for this service but the couple is working to get as many done as possible before the end of the year. There is a paint booth on-site and they offer many different custom finishes.
There will be entire sections of the store dedicated to seasonal items and decorations. Gift certificates are also available.
Rustic Re-Do & Décor is a licensed retailer of Dixie Belle Paint Products and Simply Southern.
Scarlett will also be offering commissioned paintings, wood signs, vinyl decals, and shirt designs, so, there is literally something for everyone.
For a fun time of browsing and shopping, bring a friend and check out the new Rustic Re-Do & Décor at 2917 Maynardville Highway.