Don’s Supply

You know a company is a true family business when it got its start in the family’s garage.

But the grassroots beginnings of Don’s Supply Inc. of Little Rock not only defined the hard work and dedication of its founder but also set the bar for where the company stands today.

“There’s no question that there’s more of a drive to succeed when you’re so familiar with all the hard work and long hours that went into the startup,” said Karen Young, founder Don Downs’ daughter and the company’s president. “My two brothers and I are extremely hands-on in every aspect of the business. The family feel extends to the other employees and makes for a unique and extremely productive atmosphere.”

Don Downs founded Don’s Bar Supply in 1969 after working in the liquor distributing business and seeing a niche in bar supply distribution. Downs is now retired, and his daughter and two sons have added a whole new chapter. Robert Downs is the manager and Dean Downs is vice president.

“In the mid-1990s we decided to go from distributing strictly bar supplies to becoming a full-service food-service equipment company,” Young said. “That set the tone for tremendous growth.”

In 2004 the company moved to a 33,000-SF showroom and warehouse on Interstate 30, which has increased revenue by nearly 40 percent.

Don’s Supply now provides a full range of commercial food service equipment and supplies and beverage service; it’s also the state’s largest distributor of Libbey Glassware. It’s all on display at the new building.

“It helps tremendously to be able to have potential clients and customers come in and actually see working products on display,” Young added.

Among the company’s many loyal clients, Shorty Small’s restaurant chain is the largest and makes up nearly 10 percent of Don’s Supply’s business. Young said the future includes expanding the company’s client list by signing more chain restaurants.

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