Name of Business:  Alphabet Soup

Street address: 107 E. Second Ave., Franklin

Phone number: 757-569-0110

E-mail address: alphabetsoup@verizon.net

Operating hours: 10 a.m. to 5p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday

Nature of business:  Gift shop

Name of Person Featured: Joan Goodwin, sales associate

Year founded:  1989

Prior location: Gerry Patnesky’s home

Number of employees: Three

How’s business: It’s good. We get new things in all the time, and people love to come in to see them.

One thing you wish everyone knew about your business: We all really try to help our customers find what they need, and we also gift wrap.

Your first job: The art department of a print shop.

Your role model (in business or in life generally): My mother

The key to a successful business is: Giving customers the attention and service they deserve and keeping your inventory fresh and exciting.