Published: May 03, 2008 11:25 pm      

One building, five shops

Ashley Henley is only 20 years old. She's a student at East Central Community College, a former Junior Miss, and currently holds the title of Miss Hospitality in Newton County. She also owns her own thriving business.

Although 20 may seem young for a business owner, Ashley got an early start, selling outfits she had designed for her poodle, Nikki, out of the family vehicle. A couple of years later, she started selling the clothes over the internet under the moniker "Dezignz by Nikki," and eventually, with the help of her parents Kim and Ken, got a storefront for her business. Once Dezignz by Nikki got a storefront, it just couldn't stop growing.

Now it is not just a boutique for doggie accessories, but a gift shop, coffee shop, deli, and full service florist. "We had growing pains," Kim said of their move to a larger location.

The business, which is located in downtown Newton, now bears two names — Dezignz by Nikki, and The Coffee Cup Cafe. They still carry dog accessories from the "Nikki" line, but have added other doggie brands to the frey, and carry a variety of Mississippi-made gifts, ranging from candles to wallets, as well as the work of local artists.

The shop is also known for its chicken salad, which used to be the only item on its menu, but now has expanded its kitchen to carry more deli-style lunch items.

Despite being located in such a small town, Kim said, the shop sees visitors from all over the world, including one person from Switzerland who bought some local artwork and had their picture taken with it. Kim said she sees out-of-towners come in for all different reasons, whether they're just passing through on the interstate, taking a tour of small towns in Mississippi, or researching their genealogy.

Ashley, who was recently honored for academic excellence at East Central Community College, said all the separate parts of the business have been equally successful.