Wendy Huggins: Keeping a Century-Old Southern Pines Business Alive

"We print everything but money," declares Wendy Huggins with a laugh, sharing the tagline that perfectly captures both her sense of humor and the comprehensive nature of her Southern Pines print shop. But behind that lighthearted motto lies a remarkable story of determination, faith, and the preservation of Moore County's printing heritage.

A Legacy Worth Preserving

When Wendy Huggins became the owner of Jellison Press, LLC four years ago, she didn't just buy a business, she became the guardian of Moore County's oldest printing establishment. At nearly 100 years old, Jellison Press has weathered the Great Depression, two world wars, and countless economic shifts. Today, as digital technology has shuttered print shops across the region, Wendy stands as the keeper of a vanishing craft.

“Jellison Press is one of the oldest businesses in Moore County," Wendy explains from her shop at 160 Pinehurst Avenue in Southern Pines. There used to be many printers in the area. I've watched many fellow printers close for various reasons. Printing is like a brotherhood. We look out for each other. It's sad to see them shut down."

The weight of that responsibility isn't lost on her. "There's two reasons that I work so hard. Number one, I'm responsible for it (the business) and I want to succeed and do right with what the Lord gave me. But on the other hand, just for the historical end of it, I want it to continue."

From Student to Steward

Wendy's journey to ownership began 30 years ago in 1995, when she started learning the printing trade from the ground up. "I worked for Joy Blake (“Miss Blake”) for five years, and she basically taught me everything about printing," she recalls. “I would come home every day covered in ink.” Miss Blake would laugh at me and say, “A little ink goes a long way.”  Wendy continues, “ And I thought that's the way all print shops worked - like everybody did everything. I had no idea that it was broken down into press people, graphics people, pre-press, bindery, etc.”

That comprehensive foundation served her well when she joined Jellison Press in 2000. Over two decades, she mastered every aspect of the business, from running presses to customer service to billing. Her expertise didn't go unnoticed. "Phil Enlow, the previous owner, said it took everything in his power not to hire me on the spot because of my capabilities," she remembers.

But it was the unexpected disruption of COVID-19 that ultimately led to her ownership. After being laid off during the pandemic, Wendy found herself at a crossroads. When she returned to work, the financial realities had shifted dramatically. The choice became clear: buy the business or find work elsewhere.

"I went home and prayed about it," she says. "I just prayed, 'Lord, if you want me to do this, make it go easy.' Because I was scared out of my mind. I was single. There was no backup plan. There was no extra income."

The answer came swiftly. "That was on a Wednesday. The very next Wednesday, which was July 1st, we signed the papers."

Rising Above the Challenges

If Wendy thought divine guidance would make business ownership easy, she was quickly corrected. Almost immediately after purchasing Jellison Press, she faced a perfect storm of industry challenges.

"Right after that, we went through a paper shortage," she laughs ruefully. "I was talking to one of my sales reps who's been in the paper business for probably 40 years, and he said, 'In all of my years doing this, I've never seen it where there's a paper shortage.' And I said, 'Great, I bought a print shop, and the first time ever, there's a paper shortage.’

The supply chain disruptions continued with equipment shortages, paper price increases, and shipping delays. Then, just this month, came another test: flooding that required extensive cleanup with dehumidifiers and fans running constantly.

"We've lived through a pandemic, a paper shortage, supply shortage, paper increases, a flood," Wendy tallies. "But through it all, I'm still here. The Lord took care of me every step of the way."

More Than Just Printing

What sets Jellison Press apart in an increasingly digital world isn't just Wendy's technical expertise, it's her personal approach to each project. While online printing services offer convenience and low prices, they can't replicate the human touch that Wendy brings to her work.

"When you're designing someone's business card, you kind of talk to the person and you get a feel for their personality," she explains. "You're like, okay, well, they're whimsical or they're more serious, so you try to put their personality and their business into their card. That's what you can't get from Vistaprint."

Perhaps most surprisingly, Wendy's favorite projects are funeral programs. "I think it's because it's the last thing a person can do for their family. And that's the thing they're always going to keep," she says thoughtfully. "You get to know that person through their family and put what they like and dislike, the colors, and you get to see a little glimpse of their life and try to add it into that funeral program."

This personal touch extends beyond design work. Recently, when a neighboring business owner's mother passed away, Wendy helped compile the woman's poetry into a book for the family's Christmas gift. "I like doing stuff like that because I realize this is my talent, and I truly enjoy helping people create something meaningful."

Breaking Down the Misconceptions

Despite the digital revolution, printing remains a complex craft that many customers underestimate. "People think it's like a quick copy shop," Wendy observes. "They think they can just email something and it comes out immediately. They don't realize the amount of volume or that most people are used to walking in and doing self-service things."

The expertise required extends far beyond operating equipment. "People don't realize there are thousands of different kinds of papers," she notes. "The different weights and types and textures and sizes and all of that. They don't realize how detailed the work has to be to make it right."

Technology has been both a blessing and a challenge. While digital printing has made many processes faster and more efficient, Wendy misses some aspects of traditional printing. "I ran a press for over 20 years. Now we're strictly digital. I think that took the craft or the trade out of it when we went strictly digital. But it's not something that somebody can just walk into and know—it is a learning process."

Building Relationships, One Project at a Time

Beyond the technical aspects of printing, Wendy treasures the relationships she builds with customers. "One thing I do like about my job is the relationships I form with my customers. A lot of them come in here and cry, like I'm a therapist or something. You get to know their kids, their family."

Today, Jellison Press serves a diverse clientele throughout Moore County and beyond. From business cards and letterheads to substantial newsletters running 32 to 38 pages, from golf course scorecards to materials for the U.S. Golf Association's facilities, Wendy and her daughter Taylor handle it all.

Taylor, who works full-time at the shop, is learning the business from the ground up, just as her mother did decades ago. "I want her to learn just like I learned from the bottom up," Wendy explains. "You do the grunt work and you know why something is done a certain way on the front end."

A Testament to Perseverance

As Moore County continues to grow and change, Wendy Huggins represents something increasingly rare: a local business owner who combines traditional craftsmanship with personal service, who sees her work as both a calling and a community responsibility.

"My response is, walk into the office of Vistaprint," she says when customers complain about her prices compared to online alternatives. The point is clear—you can't put a price on personal service, local expertise, and the peace of mind that comes from working with someone who truly cares about your project's success.

In an age of automation and impersonal transactions, Jellison Press stands as a reminder that some things are worth preserving. Under Wendy's stewardship, this Southern Pines institution isn't just surviving—it's thriving, one carefully crafted project at a time.

For projects requiring a personal touch or professional expertise, Wendy welcomes customers to visit Jellison Press at 160 Pinehurst Avenue, Suite I in Southern Pines. While she can handle orders via phone or email, she particularly encourages face-to-face consultations for custom design work, where bringing a sample or picture of your vision can help create something truly unique.

As Wendy puts it, "Not everybody can do what I do, and I'm not saying that as a boastful thing—everybody has their own talents. But I truly believe that if you do it on a personal basis to help somebody else, that's one of the reasons God gave you your talent."

In a world increasingly dominated by digital alternatives, that philosophy—and the century-old business it sustains—feels more precious than ever.