Saturday, September 20 was a memorable day at the Joynes Ben Franklin Department Store as Julie and Rodney Carlson retired from the store and Julie’s brother Jim Joynes (left) took sole ownership of the business. Hundreds of well-wishers attended a coffee held at the store to wish Rodney and Julie a grand farewell and to welcome Jim.
At age 4 Julie was barely tall enough to look over the counter, but she was already running a till at Joynes/Ben Franklin.
“The older ladies wouldn’t come to my cash register because they didn’t think I knew what I was doing. But Rosemary [her grandmother] taught me and she would not have let me run a till unless I could do the job,” said Julie Joynes Carlson on Saturday, September 20, at an open house celebrating her brother’s announcement that he had purchased the business from Julie and her husband Rodney Carlson.
“Really, except for a few years, I’ve been at the store my whole life,” she added.
It wasn’t altogether unexpected, but still somewhat of a surprise to learn that Julie and Rodney sold their shares in Ben Franklin Joynes Department Store to Julie’s brother, Jim Joynes.
The sale was completed August 31.
“My earliest memories of the store go back to early childhood,” said Jim. “I remember sitting on the floor putting price stickers on the new inventory. My grandmother, Rosemary, would watch over us carefully to make sure we put the sticker in the upper right hand corner. This is probably how I learned my left from my right.
“I began my career at Merrill Lynch in the fall of 1987, making my home in Duluth. Although fully committed to building my Merrill Lynch career, I would still lend support to my father, grandfather, and sister on a macro level. As my grandfather became less active, Julie and Rodney stepped up to handle the day-to-day decisions. Most of what I did involved bigger picture structural issues, including navigating through estates and ownership changes that occurred as of the result of the passing of my grandmother, father, and then grandfather. In recent years I’ve become more involved by taking part in the different buying shows we attend.”
While Jim will keep his job as a vice president and wealth management advisor in Merrill Lynch’s Duluth office, Jean Mathis Spry will run the day-to-day operations at Joynes Ben Franklin. Mathis Spry is moving from her position as chief loan officer at Security State Bank to the iconic department store opened by Julie and Jim’s grandfather Howard Joynes on December 7, 1941.
“When I think about the changes at the store over the years, I think about the people and the product. During our 73 years, there have been so many wonderful people who have worked at the store. The personalities range from serious and quiet to outgoing and entertaining. I am amazed by how many people mention that someone they are related to once worked at the store. The store has also employed close relatives of mine, including a number of great aunts and many cousins.
“Recently, people have commented on the lowering of our “ceiling high” inventory. This is a part of an effort to reduce antiquated inventory. We used to be known for the gems you’d find hidden in some of our ‘retro’ inventory. In recent years, things have become much fresher and easier to shop,” said Jim.
While living in Duluth, building a career and raising a family, Jim said the store was never far from his thoughts. “The store has always been a part of me. It’s always been in my blood.
“With Julie leaving I am losing my partner. This will take a new level of commitment from me, but I wish her and Rodney well,” said Jim.
When asked if he would make any changes, Jim replied, “There are some areas that I want to build up, increase the inventory and update. I also want to bring in some more high quality products, add some new styles, freshen up the store. But before much changes I will listen to the customers, ask them for their input, what they want, ask them what they need. We will try to be everything to everybody,” he said with a smile.
Jim and his former wife, LeAnn, are working together on the store. “We have decided to come together for our children. This is a family legacy and we want to be able to make it available to them if they want to continue with this business,” Jim said.
Ryan, 20, and Madeline, 18 are both business majors at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul / Minneapolis. Both have been weighing in with suggestions already, said Jim.
LeAnn is setting up store policies and procedures, the human resource policy and she led the search to find a new general manager, Jim said.
About Spry, Jim said, “She really knows her stuff. Her family was involved with shoe stores in Florida and she helped set three of them up. She has a good business background, which is a big plus. She catches on very fast. She’s sharp. LeAnn and I are both very impressed with her.
“To add additional support, I’ve contracted with a couple of consultants whose skill sets complement my weaknesses. My vision for the future includes the addition of one or two strong full-time members to the existing team. With strong people and the amazing things you can do with technology, I believe I can pull it all together from Duluth. At least that’s the plan for now,” he said.
While the projects are endless in a store, Jim said he would eventually like to improve the shipping and receiving area, maybe add on to the back of the building to increase that space. He will keep the parking lot across the street and added that the store will get an updated computer system.
“We will definitely be getting more techy around here,” he laughed.
“I want to thank the staff, they have all really stepped up during the changeover and taken on more responsibility. I also want to thank Julie and Rodney for doing such a wonderful job with the store. They have helped make the transition very smooth. I wish them the best in all that they do.”
As for Julie and Rodney, they are going to do a little bit of traveling and enjoy their youngest son Nate’s senior year. Rodney will now have some time to hunt and fish, something he has had little time for in the last few years.
“After a year or so I will probably go back to work,” Julie said. A former teacher, she could always get relicensed, although she said with a twinkle in her eye, “I have a lifetime teacher’s license in Texas, so you never know.”
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