Article in Plano Insider "Scraps of fortunate memories"

1. Sunday, July 31, 2005
inside FINANCE
MEMORY LANE I
Scraps of fortunate memories
Who would have thought that
when two 30-something best
friends met on weekends to work
on their family scrapbooks togeth- I . '{from rhc
er that their hobby would turn • Scrap-booMno |j Ar
I
into the largest retail scrapbook
enterprise in the nation? Creating •• Keepsakes and
That's exactly what happened
to native north Texans Kim Griffis fllljlfie scrapbookuiL; ii-ctusny
and Mary Coffee, partners in the 'Hon.
successful Scrapbook Warehouse
with retail stores in Lewisville and :.ry iiss. vxfwndcd 'by
Colleyville. 27.75•percent. | I : •'''
Griffis, a warm, outgoing all- :
- The
American wife and mother, grew | arc: 5..
up in and around Piano. Her par-
ents, Dallas professionals, spent :«es (35%) Vacations
ten years on a local horse ranch
then moved into an east Piano res- iavs ('i7%> fail!iiy Life
idence in 1985.
After graduating from the i.Qno In, (our housetifiids
University of North Texas with a .•have pimdp:nod •
degree in marketing management,
Griffis moved back to Piano and
• : ,: | Jl H|
worked in JC Penney's corporate
management program at Piano's scrapbookers have
Legacy Business Park. She married
Robert in 1999, and their daugh- m
ter Sierra was born in 2000.
She claims that her daughter's
birth and the resulting desire to D PHOTO
chronicle all her family's impor- the largest scrapbook store in the
tant moments got her into scrap- world. On Jan 28, 2004, we ple just getting married," said preneurs and their successful busi-
booking. opened our second location in Griffis ness serving the north of Dallas
"I knew from early on Kim had Colleyville with 9,000 sq. ft., and As a profitable business with community? Perhaps, a manufac-
a lucky star over her head," said our internet store opened in Jan. humanitarian goals, Scrapbook turing branch as well as retail
Kim's mother, a retired school- 2005." Warehouse gives a lot back to its expansion. As much as they both
teacher. "When she and Mary What is the enormous appeal community. A special cropping love the family-friendly environ-
talked about opening a local retail of scrapbooking? According to event was held on July 23 to ben- ment of Piano, they are consider-
business in the 2002 recession Coffee, scrapbooking provides the efit a regional Habitat for ing locating a Scrapbook
economy, I wondered about their same supportive community ben- Humanity, and more non-profit Warehouse store here in the near
wisdom. But they were so deter- efits and social outlet that the benefits are being planned. future.
mined." quilting parties of the 1920's did. In addition, Mary Coffee
In spite of her family's trepida- "At our Friday and Saturday actively participates on the Board
tion, Griffis gave her two weeks night "crops" from 6 p.m. to mid- of Directors for the DFW chapter
notice to JC Penney and started night; women share friend and of Texchange, Native Texan
Alexandra
putting her buying experience to family news, exchange scrapbook (www.texchange.org), an upscale Bonifield is a free-
work as an entrepreneur. Her eyes ideas, give child-rearing tips and networking organization for lance journalist
and non-profit
sparkle as she reminisces. enjoy each other's company," said emerging entrepreneurs, management pro-
"On March 10, 2003, fessional just
Coffee. investors, experienced mentors returned to Piano
Scrapbook Warehouse opened its "It appeals to everyone from and related professionals. from northern
first location in Lewisville with California.
soccer moms and grandmothers What does the future hold for
15,000 square feet of retail space, to high school students and peo- these two dynamic woman entre-