Local Entreprenuers
Junkin Jinks Gypsy & Mesquite Blooms
13th in a series of stories about local Waurika businesses. Shop local and invest your tax dollars where we live, work and play.
Monica Bartling
Junkin Jinks Gypsy
Junkin Jinks Gypsy is located at 118 Main St in Waurika. Joe and Debi (Luna) Jinks have operated the resale shop at this location for three years. They’ve owned several other small businesses in Waurika through the years including the Country Cottages Apartments and Rentals, Country Cookin’ Café and Country Closet (Red Barn) Resale Shop.
“We love to roam here, there and everywhere picking up bargains to resale,” Debi stated. “We enjoy going to Texas, Arkansas, and Kansas. We see lots of beautiful country and find lots of fun and useful items. If you are looking for something in particular, let us know and we will do our best to find it.”
Debi was raised in Waurika. Her parents were Loretta and Darrell Luna and was one of five children. Joe lived in Wichita Falls, Texas until he was 16 when he moved to Waurika and lived with his aunt and uncle, Vera and Earl Grubbs and then later with his sister, Levida Dyer and her husband.
Joe’s Father, Robert Carl Jinks, Sr., was originally from West Virginia, but ended up in Wichita Falls through his time in the Army.
“We open the store around 9:30 and stay until 4:00 ish,” according to Debi. “If the weather is good, we open some Saturdays. We leave our phone number posted on our door so you can always reach us if you want us to open up or to look for a particular item for you.”
While they are a resale shop, they also carry a great deal of new items including mattress sets, University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University gift items, home décor, candles, crosses, sheet sets, fishing supplies, jewelry and many other items.
“We also have some very gently used items including furniture and appliances,” Debi explained. “New items arrive daily. You just never know what you are going to find in our store.”
Joe and Debi have two sons, Joey and Jeromy. Joey was married to the late Terri Johnson. “We all miss her daily and love her so much,” Debi stated. Jeromy and daughter-in-law, Andria, have two sons, Jackson, 9 and Kason 2. We also have a granddaughter, Shelby Lynn and a great grandson, Hayden who is 2. “We are waiting on Hayden’s baby brother to come into this world as we speak,” Debi said.
Grandson, Jackson, loves working at the store. “He said when he grows up he really wants to be President, but someone has to look after the store so he guesses he will,” Debi laughed.
Joe and Debi invite you to visit the store and check out the bargains.
VISIT US
118 S Main – (580) 467-7948
Mesquite Blooms
Unique and unusual floral designs are the signature products offered by Mesquite Blooms Flower and Gift Shop at 107 W Broadway in Waurika. The shop owned by Christy Simmons Sellers and Connie Fuller Simmons opened three years ago. They are open by appointment.
“Mom and I love being creative with our designs and make sure that we are continually changing so our arrangements are tastefully done, stylish and are not what you find in other shops,” Christy Sellers stated. “If you have an idea for a creative arrangement or custom design for your home or office, we can bring it to life for you.”
Their location in an early 1900’s building located just off Main Street on Broadway offers a rustic and artistic feel that is carried over into their designs. In addition to their custom work they also offer candles and other one-of-a-kind gifts for special occasions.
“Some of our most popular items currently are our succulent arrangements made with high-quality, faux flowers that look real,” Christy explained. “They look amazing, but do not require watering. “
They also offer beautiful traditional or trendy funeral and sympathy flowers including casket pieces and sprays. “We like to make sure that the sympathy and funeral arrangements fit the personality of the loved one who passed and the family who is making the arrangements. We understand that this is a sad and stressful time for the family and want to make sure that we offer just the right look to help make a difficult day a little brighter,” Christy stated.
Christy is married to Jay Sellers and they have three children, Charly, Chaney and Stony. All three go to Waurika Schools. Christy is a 1993 WHS Graduate.
Jim and Connie Simmons have been married for 50 years and have four children. Jim is a WHS graduate while Connie graduated from Ryan High School.
“We strive to be a friendly little business and like for people to stop in and visit,” Christy explained. “We named the shop Mesquite Blooms because my Grandmother, Mae Simmons, used to say, ‘Spring flowers will bloom after the mesquite’s bloom’ and we want to offer flowers that make people think of spring because it’s such a beautiful time of year.”
“We think it’s important to support the Chamber of Commerce to promote local business and to help build the community,” Christy continued. “When you shop at home your dollars help support local churches, school activities, summer league ball programs, social service organizations and touch just about every single person in our community. I grew up here and it’s important to me to give back when I can.”
VISIT US
107 W Broadway – (580) 228-7020
website
Notes: This story is part of series on Waurika businesses sponsored by the Waurika Chamber of Commerce and its Shop Local Waurika Program. We will add stories periodically and we hope you enjoy them. To read more stories like it go to www.waurikachamber.com/shop-local-stories and find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/WaurikaChamber/.
