By Erica Thomas, managing editor
TRUSSVILLE — Two local businesses are coming together as one in downtown Trussville.
Triple Care Lawn & Landscaping and Dixie Love Tshirt Company will be under one roof. The new Whistle Stop Garden Shop will be a place for locals and visitors of the downtown area. It is likely to attract people from all over with its variety of products and services.
Triple Care Lawn & Landscaping, owned by the Cox triplets, Michael, Joshua and Taylor, has been in business for 18 years. The triplets started cutting grass in high school and decided to go to college and study horticulture. They have lived in Trussville all of their lives and according to Michael’s wife, Katie, they have made a name for themselves by working hard and doing top-notch work.
“Anyone who knows them knows they are the hardest working guys you have ever met,” she said. “So they have very strong roots here and besides being born and raised here they have invested a lot into Trussville’s landscapes. They take care of many places in Trussville including Edgar’s, Metro Diner building, City Hall, many of the neighborhoods: Carrington, Trussville Springs and that is only to name a few.”
And Katie Cox has deep roots of her own. In fact, her grandparents, Booty and Sue Peoples, owned The Bama, the only restaurant in downtown Trussville from 1965 until 1980. Her father also owns his own business, so Katie comes from a long line of successful entrepreneurs, a fact she takes great pride in.
“It means everything that I can continue that,” said Katie Cox.
Dixie Love Tshirt Company logo with a tree from Dixie’s farm (left) and Katie Cox’s grandmother, Dixie (right).
Katie is the owner of Dixie Love Tshirt Company, which is named after her grandmother, who was in the textile business.
“It means so much to me to be able to honor my Grandmother Dixie every day with my company,” she said.
Building a brick-and-mortar means more to the Cox family because of their family history.
“Our roots are very deep so, we’re very excited to be able to finally build our own brick-and-mortar because until now we have just rented from places and so we’re excited to finally put down some roots of our own,” said Katie Cox.
Dixie Love Tshirt Company has a variety of items including custom-designed t-shirts, tanks, hoodies, kitchen towels, and cards. You can also have original handwriting printed on some items.
“I love creating custom gifts because it gives me the chance to help others honor their loved ones and I know exactly how much that means,” said Katie Cox.
The Whistle Stop Garden Shop will be at 111 Railroad Avenue. The group of young business owners has already purchased the property and is finalizing plans for the building. One thing’s for sure…Katie Cox said the building will offer a small-town feel and will look like it has been part of downtown for years.
She said the garden shop will be just as much about the experience as what people are shopping for.
“The most exciting part about garden shops is that it’s fun to just window shop,” said Cox. “You don’t even have to go to buy anything.”
The atmosphere of the shop will offer beautiful backdrops for people to take pictures. There will also be a rentable space for small events such as teas and showers.
Joshua Cox will work in the shop as a florist. He has the ability to do floral arts and arrangements. Some of his pieces have been placed at Ferus Artisan Ales, according to Katie Cox.
“Not only will we have your seasonal plants and all of your garden needs, but we will also have fresh cut flowers,” she said. “You can come in and pick out your flowers to take home or you can have us arrange them for you.”
Whistle Stop Garden Shop will also offer event floral design.
And the name?
Before his death, the late Booty Peoples told his granddaughter she should call the new shop Whistle Stop Garden Shop since it is on Railroad Avenue and across the street from train tracks.
“It felt perfect!” exclaimed Cox. “Perfect for our family-owned garden shop with a small-town feel.”
