Page 60 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2015

BUSINESS & INDUSTRY catering to your needs Your Party and Event
Apex Party & Event Rentals continues the
Buck family tradition of pleasing customers
story by Lynn Lofton photos by Katherine Sowers and courtesy of Apex Party & Event Rentals
pex Party & Event Rentals in Gulfport is truly a family business. It was started in 1993
as Apex Laundry Company by the husband and wife team of Jeffrey and Rita Buck as a laundry provider to the food service and hospitality industries,
as well as to the event and rental stores that were overwhelmed by the laundry needs resulting from their linen rentals. It remains a family business with their son, Isaac, and daughter, Promise, working along side them. They are joined by Isaac’s wife Neilly Buck and Promise’s fiance Jake Donald.
“Our children worked here while they were still in school and we know we can depend on them,” Rita Buck said. “It’s important to us that they continue the business.”
In the beginning, Jeffrey did laundry pickups and Rita did the washing and ironing. “We worked hard to get things done right,” Rita recalls. “We like to always make renting from us a pleasant experience for our customers.”
Jeffrey Buck credits his wife for being an inspiration as well as a hard working partner. “I wouldn’t have the business I have today if it wasn’t for my wife, Rita,”
Party & Event Rentals
he said.
They started out working at the same
linen provider business before venturing out on their own.
Through the years the Bucks invested in the heavy equipment needed to wash and iron large pieces on an economical scale. Their rental product offerings, including linens, also increased. That’s why, in 2013, the business changed their slogan from Apex Tablecloth Rentals to Apex Party & Event Rentals. As the business grew, a custom sewing operation was added. “We’re now able to order material and create linens for virtually any occasion,” Rita said.
General Manager Jake Donald said, “We have the largest on-site selection of materials and colors on the Mississippi Coast. We buy materials and cut what we need. Sizes and colors depend on customers’ tastes and specifications.”
He says current trends in table linens include basic polyester, satin and pintuck which is a thinner material similar to
silk. Shalimar is another silk-like fabric with a bit of shine that’s used a lot as table toppers. Shades of blue remain popular along with yellows and reds and currently trendy purple. Tablecloths come in all standard lengths, shapes and sizes.
1512 30th Ave., Gulfport • 228.868.8784 • www.apexgulfport.com
60 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • August 2015 FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net