Originally published 091306
Littleton welcomes new businesses
By Theresa Raymond
The changes Halifax County hasseen in the last year is spilling over into the town of Littleton, and according to most of it's residents its a good thing. Many small businesses have relocated to Littleton from bigger cities, some in other states, to the cozy laid back lifestyle Littleton has to offer.
The Littleton Office complex in town houses many businesses including Cherished Treasure and Car Quest. Jan Shaw, owner of Jansco Concession, had a store in Roanoke Rapids, but moved to Littleton because she always loved the area. Tony Martin, owner of Martin Interior's on Spring Street, who opened in Littleton a little over a year ago, says he stays in Littleton because business is good for the area.
These are just a few of the store owner's that have recently settled in our small town, and there will be many more to follow.
According to Betty Willis the town will see plenty more growth in months to come. "We've got new business' coming including Family Dollar and a new restaurant," Willis said at September's Littleton town meeting. "Even you (Billy Matthew's, owner of Piggly Wiggly Supermarket) are expanding soon."
The biggest change to Littleton will be the long awaited Window's Fashion Resource, which the Halifax County Commissioner's recently voted to pay the additional $150,000 needed to get the building up to code. This company will bring 100 new jobs to Littleton and will be the largest employer on the west side of Halifax County.
"The factory will either need to have a cafeteria or they will need to have more places to eat," Town Commissioner Billy Matthews stated at the meeting. "They (Window Fashion employees) will also shop here," Town Commissioner Terri Newsom added at the meeting.
Business owner's who've been in Littleton welcome the new stores, saying they are just what the town needs to grow. "I think what's going on in Littleton is wonderful," said E. Carroll Mann, owner of E. Carroll Mann Custom Builders, which has been in Littleton for 8 years.
New business who come to the town believe they can offer Littleton residents and shoppers something different as well as convenience by providing a local shop to purchase it all. "I heard I would be providing a service that was needed in Littleton," said new business owner Phil Medlin of the very new Lazy Days Barber Shop. His store has been open for only one week. Medlin says he wanted to get out of the city and enjoy his retirement days. "My wife retired from the state after over 30 years, and I had my own shop in Raleigh," Medlin explained. "I wanted to get out of the rat race of city life."
Medlin bought a vacation home in 1988 on Lake Gaston, and once him and his wife retired, he decided to move to there permanently. He enjoys the laid back atmosphere Littleton has, and says although he's brand new to the town, last week was a pretty good week in sales.
Medlin, along with the many other owners that relocated to the town believe the market in Littleton is as competitive as anywhere else in the state since many people travel to the area for vacation, through US 158 as a shorter route to Henderson and Raleigh, and many move to the area to retire.
The town definitely seems to be growing in number of residents according to the 1990 and 2000 census by the US Census Bureau at www.census.gov, Littleton's population jumped from 491 in 1990 to 692 in 2000, with it continuing to rise.
As the town grows, many more business' will move into Littleton, but the main goal of the town and it's residents seem to be successful without losing the down home feel a small-town has to offer.
