Longtime Lawton residents Dwayne and Nicole Merriweather are embarking on a new journey Jan. 1.
Starting the new year, the Merriweathers will assume ownership of All Things Embroidered, 3801 NW Cache Road, a business that was started 20 years ago by Gary and Sarah Williams. The Williamses will transition with the new owners over the next six months so they can get a firm grasp on each facet of the business.
“My husband has been working there for the past two years and we know Sarah and Gary really well. It’s like a family,” said Mrs. Merriweather, an elementary school- teacher in Lawton.
Mrs. Merriweather said the Williamses are looking forward to retirement but wanted the business to be “in the hands of someone who would take care of it” and build on relationships with All Things Embroidered’s established clientele.
Focusing on embroidery, print design and engraving, providing embroidered military gifts, flags and other embroidered and print-related services and apparel such as stockings, shirts, jackets and bags, the business fits the Merriweathers, who both grew up on military bases.
Mr. Merriweather retired from the military, and Mrs. Merriweather said it’s possible she might retire from teaching and work full-time at the business. She has taught at Washington Elementary School for the past nine years.
“I’ve never done embroidery before, but my husband has,” said Mrs. Merriweather. “I’m learning that and the finance side,” she said, adding that she’s excited about the opportunity to become an entrepreneur.
Mrs. Merriweather also noted that the business transaction has put her in the position of a student instead of teacher.
“I’m used to being in front of the classroom teaching them, but now I’m the student who needs to learn something new,” she said.
The Merriweathers are looking forward to the challenges of operating their own business and happy to have bought one that is sucessful.
“We’re not starting from the ground up and we want do them (Williamses) proud,” Mrs. Merriweather said. “We’ve been like a tight family the last two years and we like to have fun around here.”
For more information about the company’s products and services, visit www. allthingsemb.com or call 580-351-2675.