CityView Magazine

Left | Bill Dukes, Owner The Rug Merchant Above | Joseph Sasala, Rec Tec Scuba Dive in Sasala’s love of diving began in 1997 “I’m happy here,” she said. “Fayetteville is growing so much, and growth is always good for business.” In addition to cakes of all shapes, sizes and flavors, the 38-year-old baker and her staff also craft cookies, cupcakes, muffins, tarts and more. Everything is baked from scratch. “We really love what we do. We don’t mind putting the time into preparing things,” Sullivan said. Duke it out Bill Dukes has never been afraid to take a risk. The 75-year-old served in the Army Infantry from 1953 to 1976, ascending to the level of colonel. He fought in Korea and served three tours in Vietnam. Dukes earned his bachelor’s degree in math from Rutgers University and his master’s and doctorate in Soviet studies from Columbia University. Though he has loads of entertaining stories, which he tells well, his favorite subject is not his accomplishments or adventures; it’s rugs. Dukes started collecting rugs at a young age. His interest was initially piqued by a seventh-grade social studies unit on Middle Eastern history, culture and art. On a school trip to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, he was fascinated to learn how rugs are made and how much effort goes into the process. “I was hooked,” Dukes said. “For me, they are works of art.” He said the way to determine the quality of a rug is in the knots. “The tighter the knot, the better the quality.” Dukes opened The Rug Merchant in 1997. He said he has been selling rugs wholesale for about 40 years. The store, located at 1228 Fort Bragg Road, houses a wide variety of rugs from all over the world, as well as other accessories such as figurines, lamps, pillows and foot stools. Dukes also cleans, repairs and appraises rugs. Originally from New Jersey, Dukes first came to Fayetteville in 1961 for Special Forces training. He distinctly remembers not being impressed. “Now I love it,” Dukes said of Fayetteville. “It’s halfway between New York and Miami. It’s easy to get around. There are all kinds of restaurants, and all sorts of business opportunities here.” Some soldiers retire and then run a business. Others do both at the same time. How do you run a business and run with the Special Operations at the same time? Ask Joseph Sasala. in Panama. Since then, he has logged more than 300 dives from New Jersey to Honduras. A certified diver and instructor, Sasala started Rec Tec Scuba in 2001. A sergeant first class, the 38-year-old recently returned from a deployment overseas. While he is away, his wife, Becky, takes care of the business. Aside from managing the dive shop, Becky also coordinates the classes and trips, updates the Web site and puts on ocean/ scuba demonstrations in local schools. Becky Sasala said she has known Joseph since kindergarten. She moved to North Carolina in 2005, and they got married two years ago. “Fayetteville was the logical choice for our business,” she said. “It’s a really good central location for all the things we personally want to do.” Rec Tec Scuba, which is located at 3703 Bragg Blvd., provides beginner to instructor level scuba training. They also sell, rent and service diving equipment. Classes are held in the evening to accommodate people’s work schedules. Becky said diving is a fantastic family activity that exercises both the mind and body. “Our goal is to help people become safe divers who feel confident and comfortable in the water,” she said. CV CityViewNC.com | 51

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