Army wives support each other as they boost downtown

Jan. 31--When U.S. soldiers deploy overseas, their spouses often return to hometowns and families for support. But in the Paddock Arcade, three military wives are digging in and preparing for a future in Watertown.

Each woman owns a store in the Arcade and is at least partially responsible for the recent revitalization of the building that began when a group of investors managed by Donald G.M. Coon III bought the building last fall. The women, working with the other tenants, have created a commercial nest that supports them when their Fort Drum-based husbands serve overseas.

"It reminds them of home," said Sgt. 1st Class Morrell B. Coleman, husband of Nancy M., the owner of the Coleman Montessori Center. "It doesn't feel like a business. It feels like going to a family member's house."

His wife and the other women take breaks during the day, walking from store to store to check up on one another. They watch for tears and deep sighs.

"When our husbands are deployed, we will have our sad moments, and it's good to have someone to go to that understands," Mrs. Coleman said. "No one can understand what an Army wife is going through except another Army wife."

Jessica M. Aubrey, who owns Black River Coffee Co. with her husband, Sgt. Chris M., agreed that it's not just the coffee that brings the other wives to her store.

"We gather here or in one of their shops and it helps," she said.

Mr. Coleman said having the responsibility of a business to occupy his wife and a support network to care for her is reassuring for him.

"They want us to have something to focus on while they're gone so that way our husbands aren't worrying about us worrying about them," Mrs. Coleman said. "That can affect their performance."

But these couples are not investing time and sweat in businesses simply to relieve deployment anxiety. They believe their stores provide unique services to the community and can draw an income for their families.

Sweden native Irma I. Boyd, owner of Nordic Beads and wife of 1st Lt. Kevin L., said she didn't enjoy living in hot and humid Georgia when her husband was stationed at Fort Benning.

"I'm Nordic and I'm a Viking and I'm a winter girl," Mrs. Boyd said. "We want to be involved with the community. We're not going to just take off to our home state like many wives do. I want to stay here. I like the winter."

She sells handmade and custom-made sterling silver jewelry.

The women said they have all tried to bring a service or goods to the area that natives might not be familiar with. Black River Coffee Co. is the only coffee house downtown; Mrs. Coleman opened the first Montessori center in downtown Watertown, and not many other jewelry stores specialize in setting an elk's tooth in sterling silver.

The women have even opened up one another to new experiences.

"I was always a girl who wore gold, but now for Christmas, I did all of my shopping at Nordic Beads, and now if I don't have my coffee in the morning, my day is not going right," Mrs. Coleman said.

While the women are helping themselves and each other out, the city might be the biggest winner.

Tonya L. Lockhart owns BBoops World in the Arcade with her husband, William H., a retired soldier formerly stationed at Fort Drum. She sells wood-carved gifts and signs and firmly believes that entrepreneurs like the Army wives are reviving downtown.

"I've always loved the Arcade and I was sad to see the shops close up," she said. "Now the Arcade is being revitalized."

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