Feature Story

Specialty shops are dropping like flies all over the state more recently than ever before. Oklahoma is supposedly one of the few states that hardly feels the hard blow of the declining economy in the United States. Forbes.com has named Oklahoma City as the number one recession proof city in the country. Oklahoma may be thriving in the energy and oil business, but Oklahoma's small specialty businesses are disappearing left and right.

These stores accommodate people who like to support their local communities and may find specialty items that they would otherwise not have been able to find in a large retail store. It could be said that yes, purchasing specialty items from larger, more established stores where I can rely on lower prices and sales is more convenient and cost effective. Yet, people who open a specialty store do it because they love that specific area, they have a passion and drive for it. It takes a lot of time, energy, and money in to opening and running a store that caters to a specific subject or hobby.

Scrapbooks from the Heart is one of the largest specialty scrapbooking stores in the state. It will soon be closing their doors due to the economy and local competition. Larger retail stores like Michaels and Hobby Lobby are closing small crafting stores down. Specialty stores are not able to run the same discounts and sales as larger more established chains are. It is difficult when you know that people are going to shop at the place where they can get a discount, rather than buying the same product from a specialty shop, where little to no discount is given. Specialty stores offer what most chained stores cannot, and that is classes and opportunities for networking with new people who enjoy the same hobby.

Mary Guffey, who owns a small specialty shop in Duncan, OK, says she is now worried about the survival of her small business. “If Scrapbooks from the Heart is closing, I am nervous. I have always looked up to Scrapbooks From the Heart and it's great techniques to pull in business.” Guffey is the only employee of her flower and candy specialty shop. So when Mary is sick or needs to take a day or two off, she has to close her doors, loosing some of her business. In times where small businesses are already struggling, Guffey fears the worst for her store.

Other specialty stores like Orange Tree, Lemon Tree, and Passionberri, are popping up all around the city, and seem to be thriving. They offer a healthier alternative from places like Marble Slab and Braum's who serve ice cream loaded with fat and calories. New yogurt shops are targeting a younger audience with their bright color schemes and modern furniture. Their prices are also highly competitive with ice cream shops. These features are what is helping these stores make it through the recession, but how long will this new “yogurt” trend last?