By Tara Fort
As sisters growing up, Autumn and Rebecca Kline experienced first-hand the hard work their parents put in to establish retail businesses that would create a generations-long family career for decades. Says Autumn, “My parents started out on the side of the road just outside of Jackson Hole selling furs. We lived in Teepees during the summer months there, and then travelled back to Bisbee, Arizona for the winter months.” It was natural for Autumn and Rebecca to open independently-owned and operated retail businesses in the heart of downtown Prescott. With another sister who owns a spa in Flagstaff, their younger sister helps out in the Prescott stores while pursuing a nursing career. The businesses that their parents started in Arizona years ago are still in existence with new owners, and their mother retains one of the original buildings in Tombstone.
Rebecca Kline
Drawn West
134 West Gurley Street,
Prescott, AZ 86301
www.drawnwestaz.com
For Rebecca Kline, the opportunity to open a store downtown felt like second nature in an industry that has served her family well. “I grew up in this type of business. My parents raised us in their businesses, and I worked for them over the years. When I first moved to Prescott, I worked for my sister Autumn at her store—The Prescott Trading Co.” When the location and for Drawn West became available, Rebecca says, “I really wasn’t looking or planning on opening a store,” but then jumped at the chance. She says, “I owe credit to Autumn because she is the one who knew the building was available and told me about it.” Being a part of all the downtown activity is a highlight for Rebecca and makes retail ownership even more exceptional. She says, “Owning a retail business downtown is special in so many ways. We have a beautiful courthouse and downtown area, and Prescott puts on so many wonderful events downtown throughout the year and I’m thankful I get to be a part of all that.” Drawn West carries unique items from sources that Rebecca’s parents passed down from generations, and those products make her store a standout among the many retail businesses throughout the community. While her store takes on new adaptations brought about by 2020 events, Rebecca hopes to expand her online business with a new website and more distinct offerings for the Prescott and its visitors.
Autumn Kline
Prescott Trading Company
142 S. Montezuma
Prescott, Arizona 86301
www.whiskeyrowtrading.com
For Autumn Kline, owning the Prescott Trading Company, was a natural path in her life. She says, “I would say I was born into the business. I remember my parents calling us up the store to help after a tour bus would arrive at the Grand Canyon when I was about seven years old. After working at every single business my parents owned, I finally opened my own store in June 2007, the same month I had my first child. That’s how I keep track of how many years I have had my business!” Owning a business in the heart of downtown Prescott is what Autumn knew she wanted to experience when she first moved to Prescott. “I wanted to build something and be a part of the community. I knew that downtown would be the best place for a business like mine to be successful.” While the Courthouse Square gives visitors and residents a chance to come together, Autumn says the businesses downtown do the same to support each other. “Most of us are friends and send each other business. We all really do care about the downtown and about Prescott.” Curating items in her store that her parents sold at the fur stand in Wyoming lends itself to the rich history and generational traditions that cultivate and keep stores like this alive and thriving. She adds, “Sales reps who sold to my parents when I was a kid are now or were my sales reps. Certain families who sold goods to my parents have also passed their products down through generations. My kids are always in the store helping or causing a ruckus! I have repeat customers who remember my kids in a playpen behind the counter when I was first starting out.” With the changes and challenges that 2020 brought to some retailers, Prescott Trading Company has had to adapt in various forms and craft new goals. Autumn states, “I want to keep moving along and keep my key employees employed and healthy. I love Prescott, I love Arizona, I love downtown and I am fortunate to be doing what I want where I want.”