40 | March/April 2018
governor's North Carolina's Order of
the Long Leaf Pine award.
"I told her we were even, she got even
with me slowly," he said. "If you do
something for Molly, you'll get a thank-
you note. She's old school. She takes
care of people who take care of her."
Back inside Rude Awakening, a
little girl nearly leapt into Arnold's
arms. She showed Arnold her favorite
Christmas present – a silver necklace
with a butterfly charm. Arnold quickly
glanced at the picture collage on her
phone. It's in those moments that she
remembers why her shops are still
open.
"I thought I would sell and collect
rent, but I haven't," she said. "And
I'm OK with that. For some, this has
been the first place they've gone aer
getting married, aer a funeral or
burying a child. And giving people an
opportunity to work here even when
they don't have the best backgrounds. It
would affect people if we closed."
Johnson said her work schedule at
White Trash has allowed her to spend
more time with her blended family – a
husband and six children. She, too,
finds inspiration from Arnold.
"I want to do whatever I can to be a
success for her, and it makes me want
Myra Johnson, left, works in
Arnold's second downtown
business, a gift shop on
Franklin Street called White
Trash & colorful accessories,
bottom left. Johnson's love
for the store as a customer
turned into a full-time job.
The shop features a unique
selection of eclectic gifts,
shabby chic furnishings and
trendy finds, located in the
heart of historic downtown.
