One year ago, Kayla Tompkins and Sydney Green’s lives both changed drastically as life forced them to find non-traditional ways of staying employed.

A year later, the two best friends celebrated the official opening of their store, Andersyn Jack, with their business partner Shane Cagle and a ribbon cutting with the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.

“We never would have thought we would be here, and honestly, the only person we can thank is God because he has really taken care of us,” Green said.

Tompkins said she and Green have always known they wanted to open a storefront, but it wasn’t until both were forced to find alternative methods of employment this past year – after Green moved back to town after having a baby and Tompkins’ husband was diagnosed with cancer.

“We both knew we had to do something,” Tompkins said. 

Andersyn Jack began as an Etsy store in Tompkins’ attic, and within three weeks the duo, was looking for a storefront.

“It just took off,” Green said. “It was crazy.”

When looking for a storefront, the decision to locate in Russellville was easy.

“We knew we wanted to invest in this town that has invested so much in us,” Green said.

The storefront opened temporarily for the holidays before closing because of an over-abundance of Etsy orders at one time.

“We pride ourselves on good customer service and a quick turnaround time,” Tompkins said. “We just felt like at that time we couldn’t provide that for the storefront.”

After adding additional help and expanding to the location next door, the Russellville store is open for business.

“We are just really excited,” Green said. “There are no words for it.”

Andersyn Jack is a gift shop that focuses on screen printing, embroidery and engraving. It offers everything from custom Bogg Bag Charms and custom T-shirts and signs to Magnolia Soap and Bath Co. products and candles.

The storefront is located at 944 Ronnie McDowell Avenue in Russellville.