M&M Upholstery has a new owner and a new name: Miss Helen’s Upholstery.
“I took it over just a few months ago, and I couldn’t be more grateful,” said Helen Higgins, who informally apprenticed under previous owners Ronnie and Linda McAllister for over a year and a half. “They taught me a trade and a skill that I didn’t have to go to college for. Even though I’m not family, it feels good to carry on their legacy.”
Higgins said the McAllisters had to look into selling the automotive upholstery shop after Linda, who handled the sewing, was diagnosed with cancer in the summer of 2015.
“They were planning on selling when they retired, but had to sell early while Linda was getting treated at Hutcheson,” said Higgins. “I felt awful, benefiting from someone else’s tragedy with the store, but they didn’t want the store to close, and they couldn’t make any money without Linda. I’m trying to run it just like they would have.”
Higgins said her interest in cars has grown steadily since she was younger.