Southern Roots brings men’s clothing to Milledgeville

Published 5:00 pm Monday, March 7, 2022

After spending 14 years working in the medical field, Crystal Ivey decided to do something different. A Milledgeville native and John Milledge Academy alumna, Ivey said that she had been praying for a new opportunity to open up, and that she figured it would be in the medical field, which she’d been working in for so long.

The opportunity came from Jill Matthews, owner of the former Jack and Milly boutique in downtown Milledgeville. Mathews reached out and offered the chance for Ivey to buy the store from her. This offer was something that Ivey kind of brushed off, and had never really thought it could be a possibility. However, after she talked about it with her husband, and prayed, Ivey said that it made sense to at least give it a shot.

Ivey left her job in the medical field in February 2020, and her store, Southern Roots, opened its doors a month later in March 2020. The business serves as a go-to shop for men’s attire and accessories, though women’s and youth attire has been added as well. The inspiration behind this came from the fact that Ivey not only wanted to make a positive impact on her community, but also because of the lack of places for men to shop in the area.

She explained that, outside of Belk, men didn’t really have anywhere to shop, a real contrast to the number of women’s boutiques in Milledgeville. The strong need for men’s apparel led her to open Southern Roots and is ultimately why Ivey said she does what she does, to fill what she thought was a void for her community.

Southern Roots carries several notable brands including Heybo, Fish Hippie, Genteal, Over Under, Peach State Pride and Onward Reserve. Notably, Hey Dude Shoes are also available for purchase. Ivey is also quick to note that she’s excited to have recently added Corkcicle cups to the store’s inventory. The business may be a one-stop-shop for men, with its vast collection that includes T-shirts, polos, khaki, shorts and outerwear like vests and jackets, but it’s inclusion of women’s and youth attire, along with other unique items, helps make Southern Roots a place for everyone to shop.

The store also has a unique atmosphere to compliment its merchandise.

 “I have a lot of antiques around the store, and it’s a real kind of laid-back vibe,” she said, before adding that during football season, they’ll usually have the games on.

When Southern Roots opened in March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had just hit and businesses were beginning to shut down. Ivey said that they were able to weather the storm after a bit of a rough start.

“We opened up and had a great grand opening and first week and then all of a sudden, it just kind of stopped,” she explained. “We were able to do local deliveries and online orders.”

She said she is thankful for the local support that her businesses received from friends and the community during that time, because it kept them open.

Ivey’s favorite thing about running Southern Roots has to be the time that she gets to spend with her two children. When she worked at the hospital, she didn’t have as much wiggle room to do school drop-off or go on field trips. It also helps, she said, that running the shop is less stressful.

She sees Southern Roots as another chance to serve the community she calls home. When customers visit the business, Ivey said she hopes that they’re greeted with a warm welcome, that they ultimately feel welcome, and that they also find what they need.