In the heart of Canton, Mississippi’s Historic Square lies a true entrepreneurial gem. We had the pleasure of sitting down with Ed Hutchison who, along with his wife, has transformed two vendor malls into bustling marketplaces filled with unique treasures. Their joint venture not only offers local artisans and vendors a space to thrive but also plays a key role in the vitality of our small southern town.
What unique or standout items have you come across or sold that you'd like to share?
Ed: One special item/memory involves snow. In the back of The Emporium, we make snow for the kids during the holiday season. Once, two children (now adults), who grew up visiting our store ended up proposing outside during Christmas, right on the carriage ride. They came back because of the fond memories from their childhood, and now they return every year. It’s amazing to be a part of their story.
How did you and Amy get your start as entrepreneurs?
Ed: I’ve always had my own business, but my wife, Amy, wanted to buy a jewelry business years ago. After purchasing it, we started doing Junior League shows. A family friend suggested we should open a store on The Square. We began with 600 square feet, selling half antiques and half costume jewelry. Eventually, we outgrew the space and, by chance, found a larger store on The Square. That’s when we opened The Emporium 15 years ago – 3600 square feet! We wanted to add something new, as there were already several antique stores on The Square. We decided to feature local artists, and that’s been our focus ever since.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of working and running two businesses together as a couple?
Ed: One of the positives is that we get to spend a lot of time together.
Amy: And owning our own businesses lets us travel more, which we love.
Tell us more about The Emporium.
Ed: We like to call it a retro department store. It’s a place where different merchants come together to offer a variety of unique items. The name 'Emporium' is a nod to the old Emporium in Jackson. The grandson of the family who owned it still lives nearby and kindly gave us their original logo. We've been using it ever since, and it’s been part of our story for 15 years now.