By Stephen Smoot
Two years ago, Emory and Stephanie Oldaker were looking for a new locale to settle down and start a business. When they finally decided to start over again in Shinnston after running businesses in Bridgeport for years, they found it a true blessing.
Since then, they have sold approximately 14,000 of their in-house made scented candles, in addition to specialized cups and other merchandise centered around themes of faith and patriotism.
“It humbles me that Pops and Gigi’s was not part of our plan,” Emory explained, adding that he and his wife have full time careers in health care.
The Oldakers named their business after their grandchildren’s nicknames for them. From the start, the focus has remained on faith, family, and service to the community, as well as producing high quality products.
“We didn’t really have an expectation, not knowing the city well” at first. In some ways, “the biggest obstacle is the foot traffic,” Emory shared. To compensate for the lack of walk-in business, Pops and Gigi’s expanded their business online. Additionally, the business “is not our livelihood, so we have a lot of flexibility.”
Most sales take place online, some to customers as far away as California. One customer happened onto the site and tried out an item. Since then that single customer has purchased about $1,000 in products. “We have customers from all over the country,” Emory said, “who have allowed us to remain open.”
“It’s one of those little blessings. You don’t realize the power of online sales.” He added that he cannot see how a retail outlet can stay open without the support of online sales.
That said, the Oldakers also enjoy having fellowship and friendship with their many in person customers who frequent their Pike Street shop.
Between Thanksgiving and Christmas last year, the Oldakers invested not only in their own business, but in the City of Shinnston itself, in a sense. On Dec 1, they announced that “we took a bold step forward and officially purchased the building” in which their shop operates. The decision came after “countless nights without sleep and a multitude of personal sacrifices.”
“We knew it would be worth it,” the couple wrote on Facebook, “because we believe our loyal customers and our community deserve access to quality products at affordable prices.” Keeping a downtown brick and mortar face as part of an active Shinnston business community represents part of the mission behind the business.
Remaining open and earning money are not the entire motivation. “We have a Christian family,” Emory explained, also saying “we have a heart to share.” While the family has always given back to the community, it is through the store that they can have an impact “on a larger scale.”
Pops and Gigi’s merchandise have become area fundraiser favorites. Emory shared that their store “offers one of the best percentages of profit” for items used for fundraisers from there. They give 50 percent.
Last year, the shop and supporters of community causes partnered to raise “tens of thousands of dollars” for churches, schools, sports teams, bands, and more. Emory Oldaker then announced an ambitious plan “to raise half a million dollars over the next decade.”
The Oldakers also praise and appreciate the business community of Downtown. Although some businesses have closed recently and all struggled through COVID, Emory explains that each business in the center of Shinnston supports the others.
He goes on to explain that the sense of, and pride in, community among small businesses serve as one of the biggest distinctions between Shinnston and Bridgeport. Emory explains that, for example, when customers search for an item in his store that he cannot provide, that they happily refer them to other businesses in town that can better serve their needs.
And other businesses send customers to him as well.
“We don’t compete with each other,” he explained, “we support each other.”