58 S G M A G A Z I N E | W I N T E R 2 0 1 7 - 2 0 1 8 “I intended to be a landlord from Atlanta, and at that time I had no plans of moving here,” said Matt, who graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology. “However, life has a funny way of making its own plans.” Roxie said things also didn’t go as she had envisioned. “I was looking to leave soon after the sale but stayed around longer than I planned.” Matt’s trips to Ocilla became more frequent, and he and Roxie married in 2007. Today, The Shoppes includes the retail space and café. Many of the items featured in the shop include homemade jams and sauces; clothing for men, women, and children; and beautifully crafted items from nearby residents. Matt said this was a turning point in their lives. “I really felt that we were being called to stay here. At the time I didn’t know why, but we made the commitment to do as much as we could to make a positive impact on our community.” Finding a way to give back to their community and build their business was part of the process in launching Southern Mercantile, an online store that features many of the items at The Shoppes—but with a more personal story. “We knew we needed to build a bigger audience to keep going,” said Matt, who was recently re-elected as mayor of Ocilla. “Today, with social media and the internet, there are so many ways to expand your business outside of where you live.”- With an online platform, Matt and Roxie use Southern Mercantile as an opportunity to share Ocilla’s traditions and charm with others throughout the southeast, and eventually across the country. Matt and Roxie also renovated a historic home in the same neighborhood where Roxie grew up, which is within walking distance of the downtown area. “It hasn’t been easy, and we went to the school of ‘hard knocks,’ but Matt is very business oriented, and I have the creative side,” Roxie said. “Learning the business has been a challenge, but we have risen to that challenge.” As with any business, there are peaks and valleys. In 2011, Matt and Roxie were at a crossroad regarding the expansion of their business and deciding whether to remain in Ocilla or move to a larger city. “We did a lot of praying and being open to what our direction would be,” said Roxie. In addition to Roxie, The Shoppes is run by a modern day “Designing Women” ensemble that includes her longtime friend Jorjanne, and newest member Tara Smith, an Ocilla native and University of Georgia graduate. “Jorjanne and I went to high school together, and she started helping us with the café and now does a little of everything,” Roxie said. “Tara came back home after college and now serves as our general manager, baker, and photographer, among other things.” There are no defined job titles or duties. It is a team effort from managing the shop to preparing lunch. “We are all a tangled web,” Roxie said. “Each of us has our own talents, but at times we have to wear different hats and do whatever needs to be done.” Through the years, The Shoppes has been a catalyst in the revitalization efforts in downtown Ocilla, which now draws people from surrounding communities to shop and eat. Day-to-day operations at The Shoppes at Fourth and Cherry are managed by Roxie Seale, Jorjanne Paulk, and Tara Smith.