About Us

Our history is as rich and deep as the Mississippi Delta soil on which the Paul Michael Company was established. Founded in 1993, our flagship store in Lake Village, AR, was situated across from the beautiful Lake Chicot and, quite literally, in a cotton field! While that store is part of our history, our company never forgets its roots.

For most, it’s a bit of a mystery as to how and why a company such as a Paul Michael’s began in a town such as Lake Village, AR, and expanded to multiple states in the South, so allow us to tell you more about the man and woman behind the business, as this is a family affair.

 

Paul Michael, who lent his name to the business, is the third generation of his family to be born and raised in the rural Mississippi Delta town of Lake Village, AR. His grandfather was one of the first merchants in the area; he traveled to levee camps with a mule and sold pots, pans, threads, and other necessities to the levee workers. With a family of six daughters and a wife to support, he opened one of Lake Village’s first department stores, Mansour’s on Main Street, which remained for over 80 years. Paul worked in his grandfather’s department store as a young adult where it became evident that he possessed a natural gift in the art of buying, selling and trading. During the ‘70's, Paul fostered this gift by buying antiques and selling them to the chain restaurant T.G.I. Friday’s.

During this stage in Paul’s life, Paul met his future wife Debbie in Nashville. Debbie grew up traveling around the country in the five-and-dime merchants’ tradition. She settled in Nashville, where she opened the landmark antique clothing store, Betty Boop’s on Elliston Place, which was filled with antique clothing, furniture, jewelry and more. As one of the first vintage clothing stores in the country, Betty Boop’s reigned as the go-to place to outfit the stars in one-of-a-kind threads. Following a lead on a stuffed peacock, Paul wound up in Debbie’s store, Betty Boop’s. He found more than a peacock that day, as the pair started dating. Their dates included scouring antiques shops for treasures and their personalities seemed as good a fit as their individual business savvy and talents. Almost immediately a bond was formed and a business was born. Although it was unknown what the future would hold, their mutual love for discovery and design was evident and, in the spirit of true treasure hunters, the two took their talent on the road.

Before falling in love with Debbie, Paul fell in love with First Monday Trade Days in Canton, TX, first selling Native American jewelry and gold. It is there that he established many contacts with which he still maintains relationships to this day. The “grounds,” as they are lovingly referred to, served as an incubator for Paul’s business.

In the early ‘80’s, he contacted Debbie about an idea for a new jewelry line, after uncovering antique tools and dies made by European engravers between 1890 and 1900 while treasure hunting in Rhode Island. This idea led to a line of jewelry, Opinions, that ended up in every major department store. Opinions brought the popular gold-plated leaves, coin jewelry, puffed hearts and birthstone charms to the masses. They eventually married, had children and evolved the business into what it is today.

Paul’s ventures into the jewelry trade led him abroad, where he first saw potential in the home decorative accessories market. One of the first items he imported was a gold-leafed Christmas angel that was placed in major department stores. “Our growth has been remarkable,” Debbie says, “and our customers come from all over the area.” Debbie credits a number of factors when it comes to their success. Big box stores offer no surprises or service, of which the Paul Michael Company has plenty. On top of that, Paul and Debbie work hard to keep quality high and costs low. They pass along any savings onto their customers. “We want our store to be creative, kooky and fun. We want our customers to find items here that they can’t find anywhere else,” Debbie says. A good example of that would be the oddities and antiques that they discover on their buying trips and incorporate into the regular mix of merchandise. They feel it adds interest and credibility to their business philosophy.

Recognizing a shift in the marketplace, the Paul Michael Company began its biggest endeavor to date by manufacturing its own line of accessories and furniture that Paul designs. He felt that the only way the company would be able to separate itself from the market would be to create its own line of exclusive items. Today, we refer to these original designs as Paul’s World. Everything is 100% American made and the majority of items are constructed of architectural salvage, reclaimed wood, and natural elements such as quartz crystal, millions-of-years-old fossils, petrified cactus, boulders and stone. The first thing that was manufactured was a cutting board inspired by an oval 1950’s Gerber cutting board that Paul found, where else but at a flea market. In Dermott, AR, the Paul Michael Company now has a woodshop buzzing seven days a week, developing, manufacturing and designing amazing pieces for your home.

Today, the Paul Michael Company wants you to feel like you’re part of our family. Come be the treasure hunter, the entertainer, the hostess and the decorator that reflects Paul and his family’s lifestyle. Visit our location in Canton, Round Top, or Dallas, Texas and experience what everyone has been talking about!