A Legacy Reimagined: How Erin Noble Brings Southern Flair to a Historic Mercantile with Sulm’s Gifts
From its roots as an old mercantile store, Erin Noble has turned Sulm’s Gifts into a beloved destination for Southern style and charm. In this interview, she talks about her journey and offers practical advice for other entrepreneurs looking to make their mark.
Tell me a little bit about yourself. How did Sulm’s Gifts get its start?
My name is Erin Noble and I run Sulm’s Gifts on The Square. When I was in High School, I worked at the Chancery Clerk’s office in the summer. Later, I went to college for interior design, but that career path was a bit hectic, so I decided to go into general business. During Christmas, I would wrap presents at several businesses around The Square.
Originally, Sulm’s Gifts was an old mercantile store that was opened in Canton in the early 1900’s. At the time, it was just a general mercantile store, and most of the fixtures in the store today are the original ones. The mercantile stayed in business until the late 1970’s. A Sulm’s niece, Janet Dowdle, opened it back up as a gift store, and it was the only true gift store around here at the time.
Janet ventured to another family business in Ridgeland, so she was going to close Sulm’s Gifts. The thought of that made me so incredibly sad because of all the history it holds. So, I went home and told my husband, “I think I want to buy a gift store.”
I bought Sulm’s Gifts in October of 1985, the week before the Canton Flea Market, and have been here ever since. Our 39th anniversary will be this October.
What makes Sulm’s Gifts special?
I think Sulm’s Gifts uniqueness makes the store stand out and is what sets us apart. We aim to be very personable, and a lot of customers have told me that they feel at home when they walk into the store. I try to find things that not every gift store has. Many of the items we sell are made here in Mississippi. I also try to display the inventory in a way that customers can visualize how to set up the items in their home.
What do you hope to see in the near future for small businesses in Canton?
I want Canton to flourish and grow. Canton has a lot to offer, and for a small town, we really try to provide exceptional customer service. I just hope for more life to brighten our town and The Square area.
What advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs would be that you have to be willing to put a lot of time into your business. You must be dedicated and willing to provide great customer service, as well as offering something unique that makes customers want to walk through your front door.