T E X A R K A N A M A G A Z I N E
bottled water] is a dollar, and that whole dollar goes to the Children’s Hospital and then we match it.” Additionally, Southern Tropics offers a 50 percent discount to servicemen and women who present their active military ID at purchase. “We’ve been very fortunate with Texarkana,” said Stephanie. “By having the lack of staff, we’ve had some really long lines,” said Jim. “We had a line one day that went out to the road. We appreciate those people that were standing out there so long.” There is a sense of pride in seeing such devotion from locals for Southern Tropics, but one of Stephanie’s favorite memories was a special moment among family. “[Jim and I] take very few days off. We’re always closed on Easter. Our daughter got married one year, and we closed for that. One of the best pictures that we have of this place was at the Little Green Stand. She and her husband came over for one of their wedding photos and took a picture for us there with
the sign we had put up that said we were ‘closed for our daughter’s wedding,’” said Stephanie. “I loved that.” Jim’s favorite memory is more of a recurring sentimentality he’s experienced over the years. “[Kids] will actually start coming up here before they can see over the shelf where you’re looking into the window to order,” said Jim. “One huge milestone that the kids have when they come up here is the year that they can finally see over the shelf.” Snowballs, snow cones, shaved ice, whatever you may call it, a person does not outgrow the taste for the indulgence of Southern Tropics. “Texarkana’s home,” said Stephanie, “and we’ve got such a great base of customers. Not only customers that have been coming up since we’ve opened, but who are bringing some of their children and, depending on how old they were at the time, some of their grandchildren, to see us. People who moved away and come to visit family, come back up. We love to see that.”
If you ask the Raineys if they ever expected Southern Tropics to become as successful as it is today, one will hear the humble disbelief in their voice. “We just didn’t know. We didn’t know what it would take to make this a really good, viable business,” said Stephanie. “I think that’s because we weren’t ever sure that it was actually going to be one, and yet here we are, 33 years later.” With all the hard work and time invested in the business, and after listening to how in unison they are with one another, it is apparent what’s bolstered and nurtured Southern Tropics into prosperity. They both agree their favorite thing about their small business is being able to work together. November will mark 38 years of marriage for the Raineys. Jim says, “We always look at each other and laugh and say, ‘if you die, I quit, and if I die, you’ll quit.’ I can’t do what she does.” “And I can’t do what he does.” Stephanie says, “That’s part of what makes us such a good team.”
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