2125 Holliday
Wichita Falls, TX 76301
(940) 767-1449 or
1-800-777-1221
Fax (940) 322-5040

E-mail: aeblind@aeblind.com

Torin Halsey / Times Record News Ty Elam and his father, J.T. Elam, are the president and CEO, respectively, of A&E Blind & Awning. A&E has been in business at 2125 Holliday Road for 60 years.

A man leaned against the door frame of the shop and watched the two buccaneers swashbuckle their way toward Holliday Street, each trying to save the world and win the heart of the captive young maiden. The man shook his head, smiled and retreated back inside the gray-stone building.

He could have been an employee, but since A&E Blind was a small family-owned shop, chances are it was the owner – John T. Elam. By early 1950s, A&E was deep in its first decade and going strong in the venetian blind business. Today it is in its 60th year – still family-owned and still mustering quality products and sales.

Much has changed along the narrow pathway called Holliday Street. It was once a key artery for traffic and its neighborhoods to the east and west were overrun by kids. Holliday Street seemed larger in 1954. It was not a street moms wanted their sons and daughters crossing without extreme caution, or else – mama warned – you could become the hood ornament on a ’47 Ford.

Let’s see. There were at least three neighborhood grocery stores within a four-block area. A snow cone stand, water melon park, a five-and-dime, a popular drug store named Patton’s and, long
before Gene’s Tasty Burger, there were famed predecessors. Further north, where the flea market now rules, was Haven Park, complete with a swimming pool, miniature golf course and, in the early 1960s, as many knife fights as you cared to witness.

“There were a lot of kids in this neighborhood back then,” said Elam, now the chairman of the board at A&E Bind and Awning. “Lots of activity on this street.”

The old area’s one true constant is A&E Blind – the little rock monument at 2125 Holliday. It has survived bad weather and bad times. It was there when boys wore “White Sport Coats and Pink Carnations” and it will be there when Y2K proves to be real or ridiculous.

Torin Halsey / Times Record News A&E Blind & Awning president Ty Elam, left, talks with Alfredo Orduno as Orduno assembles a set of polywood shutters. A&E Blind & Awning also makes awnings, blinds, glass and mirrors, carports, and sunrooms. The company has been in business for 60 years.

There are only a handful of businesses that have been around Wichita Falls in as many different decades, under the same family banner, as A&E. Hamilton-Bryan is one. Albert Moving and Storage, Mayflower Transit, an outgrowth of Baker-Duncan, and others in the 30-plus year category.

Sixty successful years in the same location, coupled with one owner throughout the duration, is more than remarkable. It is Ted Williams hitting .400 … Wilt Chamberlain scoring 100 points …
Rocky Marciano going undefeated … and someone besides Jeff Gordon winning a NASCAR race.

Few can match A&E’s history for longevity. When J.T. decided to trim his hours, he eventually handed the reins to his son, Ty, who hasn’t let the business miss a beat in the past 30 years.

J.T. said he is not sure if the company would have survived had Ty not elected to make it his calling after college. There are several directions Ty could have gone, but he chose to press forward with the family store and he’s never looked back.

The business, like the Elam family from J.T. to Ty, is built on faith. The family’s roots are Christ-centered and the business – like the parable in Luke 6:48 – was founded upon a rock.

“Life is a struggle for all of us at times,” he said, “but I don’t have any serious regrets. I’ve never really looked back and questioned my role in life or business. I know that first and foremost, the Lord has blessed me and my family and for that, I’m thankful.”

The venetian blind business has gone full circle in the last 60 years: From wood to metal and back to wood, with numerous materials and configurations in between. A&E Blind and Awning has
managed to survive every storm.

“I do know the Lord guides us and it is only through time do we see that He has guided us in the right direction.”

So congratulations to A&E on 60 good years and thanks for providing young raiders of her majesty’s ships with those slender rapiers of mythical steel.

Ted Buss’ column appears in this space on Fridays. Buss, the business editor for the Times Record News, can be reached at (940) 767-8341 or (800) 627-1646, Ext. 536.