of the store , Dorothy Smart , recalled , “ It was a lovely shop full of really nice things . It was always a treat to shop there .”
When his father , Louis , Sr . died in 1966 , Richard continued to run the exclusive ladies ’ apparel shop . Richard recalls , “ I was very nervous when I first took over the store . My father was so good at dressing people and finding just the right things to buy for the store . I had some very big shoes to fill .”
For years he thoroughly enjoyed his job of dressing the women of Palestine , until a terrible storm ruined the store ’ s roof and destroyed much of the inventory . That ’ s when the family shifted gears and began acquiring property in the downtown area .
When Richard was in his 30s , he met his future wife , Beverly . The couple was blessed with a son , Richard “ Rick ” Farris , Jr . in 1976 . While Richard Sr . worked in real estate , Beverly worked as a teacher at Palestine High School where she taught U . S . and World History for 20 years .
Rick grew up working side-by-side with his dad . Rick noted , “ Ever since I was a little kid I ’ ve been helping my dada with his commercial properties . We did everything ourselves , carpentry , electrical , plumbing – you name it , we did it . I remember getting up at 2 a . m . to go patch a roof because a storm was coming .”
Even though he worked hard for the family , Rick still had time to pursue sports . He was a natural in football and soccer and might have played college ball like his father had he not been injured during practice in high school .
After high school , Rick attended Tyler Junior College and received an associates degree in business in 1997 . He continued his education at Texas A & M University , received a Bachelors of Science in Agriculture Economics in 1999 . His strong sense of family brought him back to work and live in Palestine . Since then the family businesses have grown . They now own nine buildings in downtown Palestine , a car wash and a couple of apartments . In 2005 , Rick took over the ownership of Old Magnolia , revamping the Sandwich Shop and its menu , offering the freshest of ingredients , especially the produce – which at one time he grew most of himself . Food is one of Rick ’ s special interests . HIs brown eyes light up when he begins to talk about his recipes , especially his native Lebanese faire . He notes , “ The food at Old Magnolia is made with only the best ingredients . I know exactly what is in everything here . I have broken it all down and made sure that it is the healthiest food that Palestine has to offer .”
Like his father , Richard , who served on the Palestine Main Street Board , Rick has also been very involved in the community . He has
coached soccer , member of the First United Methodist Church of Palestine , has been a member of the Lions Club and Rotary Club , served on both the Palestine Building and Standards Commission and the Palestine Planning and Zoning Board and he was one of the organizers behind Palestine ’ s Classic Movies in the Park . Rick is a big supporter of the Texas Theater , acting in several shows and always showing his support .
Rick and his wife , Tara , married in 2017 . They are the parents of Brayden , Micah and Aliyah .
In 2019 , Rick and Tara took over Palestine Sign Company , and have spent the last four years growing it and providing signs for the area .
Rick and Tara look forward to years of improving the community and helping it to grow .
Impassioned with a vision of what Palestine could be , Rick said , “ Downtown Palestine is a gem . There are a lot of great businesses down here . I ’ m really excited about the future and our business .”
HERALD-PRESS PHOTO
Richard A . Farris Sr ., ( left ), bought Anderson County ’ s first 1952 bale of cotton grown by J . W . McMahon , Tennessee Colony , paying 41 center per pound . Mc- Mahon also got a bonus contributed by local firms through Le Roy Giffith , right , manager of the Shelton Gin Company . Total of purchase money and bonus was worth $ 384.71 to the grower .
12 | PALESTINE MAGAZINE | HOLIDAY EDITION 2022