The Dixons Are
Downtown Believers
Destination Ozarks | 5
Harrison Chamber
“ Downtown needs our help . It ’ s a big team effort by the whole community .”
“ Downtown is such an enjoyable place to be ,” Jackson said . Master Gardeners have been installing and tending hanging flower baskets that fill the streets with color . He is grateful to the group for contributing their green thumb talents .
“ At Christmas time , we ’ ll hang millions of lights and have holiday music . In October , we ’ re holding an Oktoberfest in conjunction with celebrating the Creekside Community Center completion .
“ Small town downtowns have character like none other ,” he declared , particularly his town of Harrison . “ It ’ s such a positive thing to be involved in .”
Rick and Lorna Dixon exemplify the pebble that creates a powerful ripple effect in water . They are local small entrepreneurs whose constant upgrades of their downtown properties have brightened its atmosphere and inspired others to improve their own buildings . Chamber director Wilson Marseilles and board chairman Jason Patience commended the Dixons on their long-time civic-spirited investments at the recent ribbon-cutting of a new Dixon family venture , Home Furniture , Décor and More . It is an expansion of Clark Office Products offering Ashley Furniture and other goods from dining tables to sofas , couches , sectionals and recliners . Art , lighting solutions and other décor supply full home design needs .
To create a new showroom of attractive home furnishings , Rick and Lorna purchased and renovated an adjoining building on North Walnut Street and created a new interior connection between the stores . Now their excellent staff can help customers both in the office supply and furniture areas . In this familyowned business , the Dixons and their clientele know they ’ ll have the best attention and service possible from the next generation .
“ I ’ m retired ,” says Rick , ( but unconvincingly ). He ’ s found in the Harrison store daily while Lorna heads their Mountain Home office supply location . Son Kiefer Dixon is the manager of both Harrison stores .
“ We have some talented kids – and 10 grandkids coming along ,” Rick said . Even the youngest have been pressed into work as “ beanbag chair testers ,” he joked . “ With my children that I ’ m working towards turning this over to , I ’ ve got a plan .” He wants to have done all he can to give them a nice town to live in .
Because he operates with family members and other dedicated employees , Rick knows that customers can count on complete and personal service in this new venture . The family has built and upheld that high standard of pleasing clients since purchasing the existing Clark Office Products business 16 years ago . He and Lorna feel that they are not only making an investment in their family business , but in Harrison itself .
“ We love Harrison . That ’ s where we live and this is our home ,” Rick said . “ We ’ re passionate about Harrison , the downtown primarily . We ’ ve had the opportunity to buy some other buildings and fix them up .” Every effort they make builds the city into a better home for their children and grandchildren – and their neighbors .
The Dixons have improved several buildings they later sold . The office products and home furnishings expansion are in a group of buildings that span almost a full long city block , with interspersed warehouse space and alley access . Taking over surrounding facades makes sense in order to keep their own business in attractive surroundings , he explained . Some of the holdings are leased retail spaces .
Rick believes a town ’ s
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central business and main streets should never be allowed to lose their character and should be well-maintained . Downtowns are the homes of legacy , locally-owned businesses and they attract new start-ups . “ I say to everyone , shop local if you can . If you don ’ t , we won ’ t be here . It ’ s a trickle effect . You start losing some and they all leave ,” he noted .
Shopping locally includes trading mutually with his customers and business colleagues , Rick explained . He tries to purchase his vehicles with all the local car dealers and obtain such business services as banking or insurance from Harrison sources , down to patronizing family-owned restaurants .
Although family retail businesses now compete with “ big box ” and online vendors , Rick knows his store ’ s value is not always in having the lowest price , but giving the highest service after the sale . Always standing behind the products sold is what earns the trust , respect and repeat patronage of customers , he said .
“ You ’ re going to get better service when you know the people you are buying from . We try to take care of people and make it right . If you have that attitude I think you can ’ t help but be successful ,” he added .
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