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2023 NC Main Street Champion
Joyce Owen has worked for Matthews Gifts for thirty-three years; the first thirty spent learning the business from store owner Jim Matthews. In August 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, Joyce and husband Scott purchased the business from Mr. Matthews. In 2022 after considering what the downtown had to offer, Joyce and Scott decided to purchase a building in Downtown Clinton and move the business there.
The building they purchased was in disrepair and located across the street from Clinton's award-winning Milling Around art piece. This offered them opportunities for increased pedestrian traffic, participation in downtown events, and closer proximity to other retail establishments. Even though they were located outside the Clinton National Register Historic District and under no obligation to comply with the Secretary of the Interior Standards, Joyce and Scott embraced the historic mid-century character of their building.
Clinton is honored to recognize Joyce and Scott Owen as its 2023 North Carolina Main Street Champions.