Small Business Q&A: Serendipity House and Dogwood Terrace

Acworth Patch contributor April Zlotnik talked with Darlene Knight, the owner of and .

Acworth Patch: What's the hardest thing about being a small-business owner in Acworth?

Darlene Knight: Well, I think it’s more universal than just being in Acworth. What makes it hard are the requirements and regulations that, as far as I’m concerned, have nothing to do with my business. We have a really good town that backs us. They are really oriented in helping us and making things better and easier for us so we are all on the same page. We have an excellent Downtown Development Authority. I’ve been here since 1995, so I’ve watched the city grow. It’s grown in the right direction. It’s been an excellent cooperative effort between the business people and the city government.

Acworth Patch: What's the best thing about your job?

Knight: The best thing is the people that come in and out of the store and the restaurant. It’s a great way to be out there meeting people from all over the county and all over the world. I’m amazed at all the people that are around here that are from places you wouldn’t expect.

Acworth Patch: What is the best thing about Acworth?

Knight: The best thing is the community cooperation and the small town. Everyone is working for the same things. Our Main Street and our town as a whole have grown tremendously and in the right direction in the last 7 to 10 years. It’s just a nice small town. It’s a walking town. And we have recently become an All-American City and have been a Main Street City for quite some time. There’s a lot of history here in Acworth.

Acworth Patch: Why did you choose to open up your businesses in Acworth?

Knight: I bought the house. It was this particular location. It’s an old 1879 Queen Ann Victorian house that was available. I never wanted a store front; I just wanted a house to put a store such as mine in.

Acworth Patch: Why did you pick this particular kind of business?

Knight: It was just something I’ve always wanted to do. My husband and I have been in the oil business for the last 40 years. And although it’s a very interesting kind of business, it’s not pretty or fun. This was something I’ve always wanted to do.

Acworth Patch: What are some of the services you offer that people don't know about?

Knight: We always have people that come in that don’t even know that we are here. There are always new people. At the Serendipity House, we are a full-service gift shop. Being that we have all the different rooms, the house affords us to display different aspects of our inventory. We have a year round Christmas room, a collegiate section, a room for babies and tweens, and a room for buying anniversary or wedding gifts. We have an animal section and we also carry home wares, candles, personal items and tabletop furniture. It’s pretty well rounded.

The Dogwood Terrace is a lunch and dinner restaurant facility. We also hold special events. We do weddings, showers, birthday celebrations, family reunions and class reunions. We are a caterer and we also cater outside the restaurant. The food is delicious.

Acworth Patch: Is there anything else you would like to share about your business?

Knight: It’s a very pleasant experience. I have good staff in both locations. And the city is easy to work with as a business person. Our customers come in strangers and walk out friends. Acworth has a nice, warm, homey small town atmosphere, and it works for me.