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Brent Tennyson

Tiger Paw has new owners

By Michael Butler

Tiger Paw has been a landmark business in Tallassee's downtown district since 1985. Original owner Diane Weldon opened the sports apparel shop on Aug. 1 of that year. In 2016, she transferred ownership to Stephen Webster. Now the business is changing hands again.

Brent Tennyson and his wife Alisha have taken over Tiger Paw.

"We want to make it our own," Brent said. "The support has been awesome."

Stephen Webster with Diane Weldon when the business changed hands in 2016

Alisha worked with Webster at the Ann Avenue location and learned about the business.

"That's the reason I pursued it," Brent said. "If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have been able to open it. I have to lean on her everyday."

The connection to Weldon and Webster remains with employees Elisa Davidson and Cliff Paschal. Davidson is Webster's mother-in-law. Paschal is Weldon's son. Both will remain on staff.

"Cliff is still doing my screen printing upstairs," Tennyson noted. "Miss Elisa is still doing things downstairs. We wouldn't run without them."

Tiger Paw's name was derived from a conversation at the dinner table back in 1985, Weldon recalled.

Brent with wife Alisha and Maddox and Maddie

"We were sitting around trying to come up with a name," she said. "Cathy Stonaker came up with Tiger Paw and we liked it. The connection was with the school."

Although the name may sound like the business solely caters to Tallassee "Tiger" fans, it goes beyond that.

"I'm getting great support from Reeltown and Eclectic, Booker T. Washington and of course Tallassee," Tennyson added. "People drive from Montgomery. Business has been great."

Tennyson said new products should be arriving in the near future as inventory is cleared, including clothing, hats and sporting goods.

Hours of operation are 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. weekdays (5 p.m. on Wednesdays) and 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. on Saturdays.