By LaBetha Casey
The first ribbon cutting for a husband and wife team was held in Grand Cane on Friday April 21, 2023. Austin Patton’s new business, Rocking P Ranch & Leather offers custom leather work including belts, knife sheaths, pistol holsters, gun slings, leather hat patches, and air fresheners. He also has cowhide rugs from Brazil and Italy for sale and will perform saddle cleaning and repairs.
For four years Austin was a bull rider and learned his leather trade when he became an apprentice to a ranch owner in Texas where he stayed at one time. His business has limited hours of being open for business as he is a full-time firefighter in DeSoto Parish.
Be Jeweled by Laura Patton offers custom-made permanent jewelry using silver or gold-filled chains and natural stones. Laura is a part-time nurse, so she will be making jewelry by appointment. On Tuesday nights she conducts live Facebook sales.
Their business is open on Thursdays and Fridays 10:00 am until 4:00 pm and on Saturdays 10:00 am until 2:00 pm.
The second ribbon cutting of the day was for The Village Loft. Though Lisa Duty opened her store a couple of years ago, an official ribbon cutting had never occurred. Duty not only has painted furniture for sale in her shop, she also does custom furniture painting for customers.
A variety of items made by local artisans such as barn quilts, homemade candles, quilts, throw pillows, and children’s clothes are for sale. One “fair trade” product line that is offered is Maria Victoria bags that are hand woven in Mexico.
