Chamber Series: Meet Our Members Troups

Troup’s Studio & Gifts has taken portraits of our families and filled our gift bags with unique items since 1932 and has been a member of your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce since 1958. H.O. Troup’s Camera Shop was originally located on the opposite end of Doyle Street where Willie Woodruff’s Law Practice is currently located today. The location we frequent now was built in 1941 and expanded into what was the Smith Furniture location in the 90’s. The friendly faces who took the helm in the early 2000’s were Harry & Patti Troup Joiner, 3rd generation owners.

Harry & Patti sat down with us to discuss the history of Troup’s as well as the evolution of print media. In the 40’s Troup’s would process film from around the United States. One could walk down the back alley and see hundreds of photos out drying before they were shipped. When a strong gust of wind would blow other shop owners and community members would come out to help H.O. grab up the prints. Today photography has gone to a digital platform. Troup’s can print images from your devices, take digital portraits for your albums and memories, restore old photographs, and create custom frames in any design imaginable. Troup’s was the 3rd Hallmark Location to be established and has over 200 vendors in their store. Some of the more popular brands are Katie Loxton, Officina Bernardi, Brumate, Corkcicle, On-Site Laser Engraving, and Collegiate Merchandise.

Troup’s has employed many “Toccoans” through the years but a fun fact that Harry shared with us is about two employees that called Troup’s home for a while. Both Bobby Byrd and James Brown worked at Troup’s for a time in the 50’s. The Byrd family took Brown in after being paroled and promised him a job. Little did H.O. Troup know that Bobby Byrd and James Brown would go from stock room assistants to Godfathers of Soul.  

While walking around looking at the fantastic merchandise to fill our homes and closets with we asked what their favorite thing about owning a business in Toccoa-Stephens County. Patti quickly responded, “It is not about owning the business. It is about becoming a family. Our customers are part of our family. They call us or come by for major life events. When they move away, they make special trips to shop with us.” These customers are mindfully shopping local. For your next birthday party, holiday, or for Christmas…. mindfully support the shops in our community and let stores like Troup’s help you find just the right gift.