Elmore County native Carrie Lucas has always had a desire for monogramming, and now has the opportunity to take that desire to the next level.
Lucas will soon be opening her own business in Highland Home called The Southern Monogram. The store is located directly in front of Coco Momma’s Family Dining.
“I have been wanting an embroidery machine since our oldest was a baby, and three years ago we finally broke down, bit the bullet and bought me a machine,” Lucas said.
“I knew that I wanted to make a business out of it because I enjoy it so much.”
The Southern Monogram will have a gift shop and feature back to school items, such as seersucker backpacks. Lucas says the store will also offer other items such as Charles River rain jackets, beach items and other miscellaneous gift items. They will specialize in monogramming, Lucas says.
With the desire to open her own business in her head, Lucas began searching for a store front. After looking in Ramer, Troy and Grady, she had no luck. One day while searching in Highland Home, Lucas happened across the empty building in front of Coco Momma’s Family Dining.
“It was vacant, so I called the owners of Coco Momma’s to ask if they knew who owned it, and they owned it and it was becoming available for rent. So we jumped right on it,” Lucas said.
As soon as the building became available, Lucas and her team began working to have the store up and running within a month’s time.
While Lucas is not originally from Crenshaw County, she says the area has grown on her and she is starting to make a home for herself and her family here.
“I like Highland Home, and I really want to get to know people over there. One of our goals when opening up a store is to bring my husband home a little bit more,” Lucas said.
“In all, I just really want to get to know that community and venture out over there a little bit.”
Presently, the hours of operation for the business are set for Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
A ribbon cutting ceremony and open house will be held at The Southern Monogram this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. All are invited to attend.