Ease Meets Tradition at Jones General Market
Just months ago brown craft paper covered the windows of a developing space inside The Shoppes at The Mill on Etowah in Canton. Then a logo bearing the monogram “J.G.” popped up on the glass doors and a social media page launched in anticipation of the new shop’s opening.
![Jones General at The Mill on Etowah in Canton Georgia](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/jones-general.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=83eff8b5dbc383029271d4023169cca1 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/jones-general.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=ca53c23504fde8f74394261da65f9699 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/jones-general.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=869a2f3f4fe5053f838bfa9d4d146a7e 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/jones-general.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=bc344a820e22968a8d27948e68c01eba 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/jones-general.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=f2ed4f8a7ccaf7816f93884d81008281 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/jones-general.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=979de28d493dfbd750331b834944f2da 1440w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/jones-general.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=bad96126f39aa68b54aa5902b3ae82f0 1920w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/jones-general.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=b63c3548d63e415338d02d68db29ce04 2400w)
In October the craft paper was peeled away to reveal a stunning new shop: Jones General Market. Inspired by “warm-toned woods [and] deep and lively greens with a sprinkle of rusty peaches and brightness,” the market evokes a friendly, welcoming atmosphere made all the more inviting when sunlight bathes the space in a golden glow. Music from singer-songwriters like Anderson East and Ray LaMontagne floats from the speakers and evokes a mellow and soulful mood throughout the shop.
![Jones General Market](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Jones-General-Market-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=51.63%2070.24&q=80&w=320&s=67a7c947888a1975c58a1d5e9b8f295a 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Jones-General-Market-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=51.63%2070.24&q=80&w=540&s=9f1d157dfb418143d0239fd481dfdc80 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Jones-General-Market-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=51.63%2070.24&q=80&w=768&s=7220856e1630e055a18505a0acf3fe98 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Jones-General-Market-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=51.63%2070.24&q=80&w=1024&s=a6b287f2a2e7d582d1d4ba2cffd0ed86 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Jones-General-Market-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=51.63%2070.24&q=80&w=1200&s=f09b0de828107278d9f55816599200ab 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Jones-General-Market-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=51.63%2070.24&q=80&w=1440&s=92f916ce5f9750746545620d899145ba 1440w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Jones-General-Market-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=51.63%2070.24&q=80&w=1920&s=77dfacbf01fd49c9aa217c32e47aa025 1920w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Jones-General-Market-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=51.63%2070.24&q=80&w=2560&s=66d69cbe3fc0f36100646997981d9c52 2560w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Jones-General-Market-1.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=51.63%2070.24&q=80&w=3840&s=0815f7fd6fb494288f474ff8838f75c1 3024w)
Twin sisters Jessica and Michaela Namynanik are the creative minds behind Jones General Market, a modern general store specializing in grab-and-go food options, home decor, and gifts. While the market itself is a new venture, Jessica and Michaela have a wealth of entrepreneurial experience. The sisters’ other business ventures include 89th & Autumn wedding and event florist, The Flower Shoppe floral and lifestyle boutique, the Workroom multi-use studio space, and Eightyninth Design Studio.
The Flower Shoppe opened at the Mill on Etowah in 2021 followed by the Workroom studio in early 2022. With both businesses growing and thriving, the sisters spent a lot of time at The Mill and soon recognized a need for what they have since dubbed an “easy peasy food and retail experience.” They endeavored to create a welcoming space for shoppers and other businesses at The Mill offering comfortable seating, pleasing drink and snack options, and a carefully curated selection of home decor, gifts, and pantry items. Jessica says the shop’s goal is to be “the heart, the center point for The Mill, to serve all the other businesses, and to be a part of this greater picture of The Mill.”
When it came to creating a style for the new space, Jessica and Michaela wanted “a timeless experience of a general store in a modern way with turn-of-the-century design elements and a warm nostalgic feel.” The entrepreneurial duo has achieved their goal, with the shop’s ambiance blending striking deep green elements and earthy cream and gold accents enhanced by the historic elements of the revitalized industrial space including exposed brick and wood columns.
In another nod to the location’s history, the market’s name honors the original founder of the mill Robert Tyre “R.T.” Jones and the Jones family who “built what we know of as Canton,” explained Jessica. The shop is described as “inspired by Canton’s past and designed for its exciting future.” The sister’s love of local extends to merchandise carried in store as well.
Jessica and Michaela have partnered with regional businesses to offer their items in store, including Eden in downtown Woodstock, Arlowe’s Bakehouse in East Ellijay, Atlanta-based King of Pops and The Spotted Trotter, and Hale Tea Company in Savannah. For the holiday season, the shop partnered with local artist Ashley Bruce Artworks to offer a selection of hand-painted ornaments. Local dessert favorite Pie Bar will soon have items available in the market as well.
Also available are Jones General brand products including t-shirts, mugs, and their opening weekend best-seller: the Local canvas tote bag.Among the grocery offerings in the store are gluten-free and grain-free options. Jessica and Micahela strive to carry items to fit any dietary restriction and provide healthy choices for shoppers. According to the market’s social media profile, “It’s all about ease meets tradition at Jones General.”
![Jones General Market](https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Jones-General-Market-5.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=37.15%2037.2&q=80&w=320&s=00d8c5b2f557829eebfb4bb5af19f603 320w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Jones-General-Market-5.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=37.15%2037.2&q=80&w=540&s=340a7e12deb8a7d28906dd9635790304 540w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Jones-General-Market-5.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=37.15%2037.2&q=80&w=768&s=0baf09431ab40b93bbaea3443d31f291 768w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Jones-General-Market-5.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=37.15%2037.2&q=80&w=1024&s=345b8c65b24bb2b33970f955e6106c2f 1024w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Jones-General-Market-5.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=37.15%2037.2&q=80&w=1200&s=ae255d4e43bda8ce5794a5269237ca9e 1200w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Jones-General-Market-5.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=37.15%2037.2&q=80&w=1440&s=81d3982c5869e73c50af0ea919354a47 1440w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Jones-General-Market-5.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=37.15%2037.2&q=80&w=1920&s=5f25b8c4113627c1103ceaefa9024159 1920w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Jones-General-Market-5.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=37.15%2037.2&q=80&w=2560&s=b1e3d26032ac17388564818241ef5619 2560w, https://cantonga.imgix.net/images/Jones-General-Market-5.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=37.15%2037.2&q=80&w=3840&s=bb665dbed54acd6be8bb2ba45ba3c9e8 2755w)
It’s easy indeed to see how much thought and effort went into bringing the market to life. Their unique vision and dedication to providing positive customer experiences are present in all of the Namynanik sisters’ business ventures and the pioneering Jones General Market is sure to continue this tradition of quality and style.
This article was featured in the Historic Canton magazine. Read more.