Apron making a successful business

Apron making a successful business

Written by Michelle Davis Friday, 07 July 2006

A growing business is tucked away in a ’50s style house off Harris St. in downtown Round Rock befitting its product - aprons. Clover Specialties moved into the house near the new Baca Center in May.

Owner Ann Jones grew up with a mother and grandmother who wore aprons to cook and entertain. A photo of her mother hangs in the store reminding her of the one who inspired her passion.

“My grandmother is originally from England and growing up she always had an apron on,” Ann said. “She passed this practice on to my mom, who passed it on to me and I to my daughter. It isn’t just something that is used to cover yourself with, but it is also pretty.”

Ann began sewing aprons for friends and family in 1963, but by 1986, she was selling them at church bazaars and craft shows.

Ann’s daughter Wendy began working for her three years ago and is now responsible for sales, design, graphics and embroidery.

“Growing up, my mom was known as the apron lady, and when I went to college, even I couldn’t do anything without wearing an apron,” Wendy said. “It just got in my blood.”

Each of the aprons at Clover Specialties are unique. Some are plain; others have printed fabric, are embroidered or screen-printed with big floppy pockets, small pockets or no pockets. They can customize any apron and that is part of the reason so many businesses have requested them.

“A man in California traveled for a year searching for someone to create vintage style aprons, and when he found us, he knew he didn’t have to look any further,” Ann said. “I love the ideas that people come up with. It’s an amazing and fun challenge to create what they are looking for.”

The business has grown to incorporate handbags, embroidery, custom logos, and mini aprons used for pen and paper. There is even talk of creating stylish scrubs for young people in the medical field.

Their new location is being remodeled. With more space, Ann and Wendy would like to create a healthy fast food café and a patio furnished with tables and chairs.

“The whole idea goes with the concept of hospitality with a specialization in culinary,” Wendy said. “Like aprons!”

Aprons worn by:

• Louisiana Longhorn Cafe
• Organics
• Fancy Cats
• Cost Cutters
• Great Clips
• Zilker Botanical Gardens
• Bell Mountain Vineyards, Fredericksburg

Aprons sold at:

• Simply Suzi
• Buttercup Baby, Austin
• Bell Mountain Vineyards, Fredericksburg
• www.allheartchef.com

Aprons featured:

Home & Garden Network “Taste of Home”

Clover Specialties, 106 S. Harris St., Round Rock, TX 78664, 512-246-1282 www.cloverspecialties.net