Longleaf moves for good cause

By Katie Cole (Contact) | Alex City Outlook

Published Saturday, July 4, 2009

Longleaf Antique Mall had a lot to celebrate on Friday—their grand reopening in the Alex City Shopping Center and five years of successful business.

“We’ve having a grand reopening and five year celebration. We moved from one side of the shopping center to the other,” Jim Wilder said.

Jim and Gail Wilder first opened Longleaf in June 2004 in the building where Rose’s department store is now located. Rose’s wanted Longleaf’s building, and the Wilders were happy to help the store out and bring new business to Alexander City.

“We had a negotiation with Rose’s and our landlord to bring the department store to the area,” Wilder said.

Longleaf opened in its new location on May 25 of this year, and business has been better than ever.

“Our sales have exceeded last year’s. Sales are up 12 to 15 percent,” Jim Wilder said.

The Wilders attribute part of their success to their vendors and their merchandise. Gail Wilder said their vendors provide a wide variety of quality products at a reasonable price.

“We offer good products and services at a reasonable price. For people looking for bargains, this is a great place to shop,” Jim Wilder said.

The dozens of shoppers in the store agreed with the Wilders’ assessment. Sandi Piper is a Birmingham resident who regularly shops at Longleaf when she’s in the area.

“I do like antique malls but this one is special,” Piper said. “I like all of the local artists that have booths here. It’s convenient and fun to have a place to decorate your lake house when you spend a weekend here.”

Longleaf’s popularity was not lost on a neighboring store. Sho ‘Nuff Barbeque, located in the shopping center, set up a booth right outside Longleaf to attract customers. The Wilders said all of the stores in the shopping center help each other out whenever possible.

“We like to support each other in the shopping center,” Jim Wilder said.

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