#DexterFirst  Ted’s Sport Shop By Nancy Nelson Vines

Located on West Business Highway 60, nestled between a hair salon and furniture rental company, is Ted’s Sport Shop. Ted Denkins has been in business in this spot for 45 years, and his parents owned a TV repair shop there before that.  “All told,” says Denkins, “my family has occupied this building for about 63 years.”

Ted’s Sport Shop was originally a bait and fishing tackle business that he began with his brother-in-law; however, bait shops quickly became popular in Dexter, so Denkins decided to change the focus of his store.  An avid competitive archer, he began to merchandise archery equipment rather than fishing.  

Denkins and his brother Bill participated in Olympic-Style competitions for many years.  One wall of his business is lined with awards attesting to their skill in this physically demanding sport. “I still bow hunt, but no longer enter the competitions”he said.  “Both Bill and I shot at the trials for the 1980 Summer Olympics, which were to be held in Moscow.  Bill made it, but I did not.  Sadly, though, that was the year the US boycotted the Olympics because of  the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. They held a SportsFest in Texas instead.” Denkins recalled. “It wasn’t the same.”

Ted’s Sport Shop carries all types of new and used bows, arrows, hunting accessories, and some hunting apparel. In addition, he repairs bows and makes bows and arrows. “I’m not as fast as I used to be,” he says, “but I’m better. I’m still learning.”

Ted’s Sport Shop is located at 109 West Business Highway 60 in Dexter. Business hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 to 5:00 and Saturday 9:00 to 1:00.

Pictured above: Ted Denkins has been in business for 45 years.

Ted’s Sport Shop is located at 109 W. Business Hwy. 60 in Dexter.

#DexterFirst Lucas Florist  By Nancy Nelson Vines

Lucas Florist has been in Dexter for over fifty years.  Today it is owned and operated by Dexter native Derek Medler, who began working in the shop as a teenager.  “I began working for Katherine when I was 15,” Medler recalled.  After graduating from Dexter High School in 1992, he earned a degree in interior design from the University of Memphis.  “I worked in landscape design during school and after graduation, but when the opportunity to buy the shop was offered to me, I came home.”

During his fifteen years at the helm of the business, Medler says that his main goal has been to maintain the high quality and integrity that customers have come to expect from Lucas Florist.  “I try to keep Katherine’s traditions—products and trends change, of course, but interesting, new floral design and good customer service never go out of style. I enjoy coming up with design ideas that aren’t on the internet or Pintrest.”

Lucas Florist, located at 425 North Walnut, is a full-service florist offering funeral flowers, wedding planning, and custom home and business decorating.  In addition to fresh and silk floral arrangements and home décor items, a variety of gift items are also available. The business hours are 9:00 to 5:00 Monday through Friday and 9:00 to noon on Saturday.

Pictured above: Derek Medler has owned Lucas Florist for fifteen years.

#DexterFirst Encore By Nancy Nelson Vines

Encore:  giving old items another chance.  When visitors enter this antique shop in Downtown Dexter, they are struck with the inviting atmosphere. All glassware is sparkling and displayed as if waiting to be used for dinner, or adorning a treasured piece of furniture.  “I display pieces together and artistically, to give customers an idea of how it will look on the shelves of their homes,” explains owner Jeanne Charles, who has owned the shop for two years.

“I bought the store from Mr. Charlie and changed the focus to glassware, collectibles, and small pieces of furniture,” says Charles. “I take road trips to Ohio and Pennsylvania where much of the glassware was made.  I visit various venues and am always on the lookout for interesting pieces to bring back to the shop.” 

Besides revising the merchandise she offers, Charles also revamped the merchandising space inside the building.  She estimates that in the 1970s, during the energy crisis, a dropped ceiling was added to the interior, and along the front wall facing the street, a row of windows was removed, closed off, and paneled.  Charles closed her business for six months while the dropped ceiling was removed, the building was rewired, fluorescent lights were eliminated, and the front panels were taken out and windows restored. Under the dropped ceiling she discovered a pressed tin ceiling that is in beautiful condition. “Now the building has a true vintage appeal both inside and out,” she remarked.

Encore is located at 22 East Stoddard and is open 10:00 to 5:00 Monday through Saturday.

Pictured above: Jeanne Charles owns Encore. 

#DexterFirst K-9 Biz By Nancy Nelson Vines

K-9 Biz is a store designed for the dog and dog-lover.  While dog training is a main focus of the business, an array of toys, accessories, bedding, and gourmet dog food and treats are available for dogs of every size and temperament. Gift items are also available for the dog lover, and gift certificates are may be used for merchandise or training.

K-9 Biz is owned and operated by Krista Tucker and Claire Stabt.  The two, who both own dogs that work in recovery, met through search and rescue operations. The business is the offshoot of their friendship and mutual love of dogs and most things dog-related.

Behavior classes available at K-9 Biz include basic obedience to advanced obedience, tricks, and therapy.  Tucker stated that they will take obedience classes to any level desired by the owner. “We can go as far as the owner wants to go with his/her dog.”  Both Tucker and Stabt are certified trainers and they also hold trick-dog trainer certification. They also provide training for disabled dogs.

A unique feature to their business is that they offer custom embroidery and can personalize virtually any pet-related apparel, blanket, or scarf.  In addition to a pet’s name, items can be specially customized with an image of the pet.  A photo, however, must be provided in order for the image to be digitalized for transfer to the item. Paricord collars and leashes are also available, and may be customized to color and length.

Much of the merchandise available at K-9 Biz has been made by the owners. Scarves, bandanas, blankets, wooden beds, wooden feeding stations, and dog houses are all in-house products.  Additionally, the wooden beds, feeding stations, and dog houses can be custom built to the specifications of individual dogs or the owner’s taste. 

Realizing that not every dog resides in a secure home environment, K-9 Biz sponsors Paws Club which raises money for dogs in need.  Recent fund-raisers were held to help with a rescue situation. The Dexter Animal Shelter will receive donations from a Santa photo-op available in the store during the holidays.  

K-9 Biz is located at 38 East Stoddard Street in Downtown Dexter.  Their business hours are Tuesday through Friday 9:00 to 6:00, and Saturday 9:00 to 5:00.  You may call 573-225-7321 for additional information about merchandise or training.

Pictured above: Krista Tucker and friend in the photo area.