Anna Wiggins, owner of Curious Cargo in DeRidder

By Lisa Yates
Editor

An old Chinese proverb says that the person who can not smile should not set up shop. After all, who wants to buy from a shopkeeper who is rude or impatient? Anna Wiggins agrees. She's the owner of Curious Cargo, at 1118 N. Pine Street in DeRidder, and her goal is to see people smile.

“People are so much fun,” she said. “We have a goal here – when people come in, our goal is to make then laugh, or giggle, and to get them to relax and forget their troubles for a little while.”

This philosophy has kept Wiggins in business for 25 years.

Wiggins, 66, said she likes to give her customers “a little bit of extra” service -- like gift-wrapping.

“Around Christmas time men will stick their heads in the door and ask if we gift wrap,” she said. “I tell them 'sure, come on in.'”

She also plans special events also helps to attract new business. For example, George Fenton, president of collectible Fenton Art Glass, will be in her store Nov. 6, to sign pieces for customers.

“Fenton Glass is a 103 year-old American company that started in West Virginia,” Wiggins said. “A signed piece of glassware can triple its value.”

Fenton Art Glass, gourmet coffee, silk flowers, made-to-order gift baskets, holiday and home décor, Louisiana souvenirs, LSU memorabilia, and more – Curious Cargo is a shoppers paradise and a fun place to browse.

“We laugh and say we have everything but motor oil!” Wiggins joked.

Never planning to go into business for herself, Wiggins said she “fell into it.”

“It was really and accident,” she said.

Before becoming a business owner, Wiggins worked a couple of days per week at Pier One Imports. When the owners retired, she bought the franchise and ran it. Eventually, she sold it back to the company and started Curious Cargo – her own retail business.

“I enjoyed it, so I guess it was just meant to be,” she said.

Wiggins is a bundle of energy.

In addition to running a successful business, Wiggins is active in the community. One of her many activities includes serving on the Military Affairs Committee of the Greater Beauregard Chamber of Commerce.

She recently re-activated a yellow ribbon campaign through the committee.

“It’s something we’ve done in the past, but it has kind of fallen by the wayside for awhile,” she said. “We have a lot of military in DeRidder and Ft. Polk, so we want to be sure and support them. We also want to remember that we still have soldiers fighting oversees.”

Ampacet Corporation in DeRidder donated spools of plastic ribbon for the cause, which Wiggins ties into bows and distributes for donations at her store.

“We're asking for donations to purchase phone cards for soldiers and their families,” she said.

Besides supporting the troops, Wiggins is the president of the local community theatre.

“I've been with the Impromptu Players Dinner Theatre volunteering for 20 years,” she said. “We've revamped the building. It's beautiful now.”

Volunteering includes cooking all of the food for the dinner theatre. How does she do so much?

“I guess I'm just scared to stop,” she said, “So, I just keep on truckin'!”

When she's not working, or volunteering, she is spending time with her husband Dave, who works as a transportation officer at Ft. Polk. The couple has grown children -- a son in Ft. Worth, and two daughters – one in Dallas, and one in DeRidder.

“Thank goodness my two grandchildren – a boy and a girl – live here,” she said. “Sarah is a senior at DeRidder High School, and Kevin is an 11-year-old soccer player.”

Wiggins said her granddaughter is very involved with her business. She even works with her at the store on Saturdays.

“She put together the ballet area of the store by herself,” Wiggins said. “She also goes to market with me in Dallas.”

Her granddaughter also designed a souvenir mug featuring the Gothic jail and courthouse in DeRidder. Wiggins said the mugs will be available soon and will be sold in the store this Christmas.

“We make a good team,” she said.