18 August 2023
"I was working already when Brian started and loved working at
my job in shipping and receiving. By the time COVID happened, I
was only working the back-to-school season," says Prevatt.
Looking around at the new space with its wide aisles and fully
stocked shelves, she could not help but beam with pride at what
Barber and the staff has accomplished at the new location. She thinks
Highland Centre will be great for foot traffic.
Prevatt's daughter, Laurie Shearin, also worked at School Tools
when she was in high school before graduating from Appalachian
State University to become a teacher.
"She worked here from the age of 13 through high school. I guess
you can say this helped inspire her to become a teacher," says Prevatt.
Barber says he caters to all shoppers, but his key customers include
teachers, day care workers, church nursery and Sunday school
coordinators, home-schooling families and parents.
"Obviously, we have teachers who come in because we carry
everything they would need for their classrooms," he says.
For day care centers, the store sells educational toys and
Kindermats that are sought aer for nap time.
"We also have a large section for churches," Barber notes.
With assistance from her care provider, Charlotte Huscko,
left, Kellie Reaves works at School Tools twice weekly.
Reaves was a former customer before working at the store.
School Tools has expanded to over
12,000 square feet of space with
its move to Highland Centre on
Raeford Road.
