Soul of 78: Deb Langley

Owner, Deb and Co.

Words by Terrell Manasco | Image by Ryan McGill

Deb Langley just wanted a part-time holiday job.

In the late ‘70s, Deb took time off from her office job with S.H. Kress to raise her newborn daughter, Wendy. After two years at home, she needed a break from “taking a break.”

“I'm not very good at staying home,” she chuckles.

In November 1981, Deb applied for a seasonal, part-time job at Snow's Cards and Gifts in Jasper Mall. That soon transitioned into a full-time position, which led to a position as a buyer’s assistant, traveling to stores and setting up displays, etc.

“I got a great education. They put me with people that I could learn from,” she says.

Deb’s on-the-job training and retail background gave her an edge, and within a few years, she was doing double duty as a buyer and running the store. “I went from part-time Christmas help to assistant manager to store manager over about six years,” she says. “I never got bored with my job because my job kept changing.”

In 2004, the owner of Snow’s decided to retire. The Jasper Mall store closed in January 2006, but Deb was back the next day. “We bought their existing inventory,” she explains. “One day we were Snow's and one day we were Deb and Co.”

Deb and Co. offers newborn and children’s apparel, fun graphic t-shirts, seasonal gifts, and home décor. Brands include Tyler Candle and Glamour Wash, Mudpie, and Simply Southern.

The business has evolved from a gift shop to a gift shop + boutique, which Deb attributes to changing times. “A gift shop is not the same as it was in 1981,” she says. “You don't have brass candlesticks and hummingbird figurines that were in a gift shop in the ‘80s. When you go to gift shows now, it's 80 percent apparel, especially children’s apparel, and a little home decor. We've just kind of evolved where our customers led us.”

Despite the effects of Covid, Deb says sales have been good. “We have seen sales increases during this time,” she says. “We do curbside now and we have a website, www.shopdebnco.com. We are very grateful and blessed that we have done well.” 78