Iconic business in Seneca changes hands to new ownership

A pillar of the local community has changed hands in ownership after Ralph Nix, former owner of Ralph’s Trophy Shop, decided to retire and sell the business at the beginning of April. 

Nix said he opened the trophy shop “from scratch” in 1982. 

“This will make 42 years that I have actively been in the trophy business serving schools, churches, universities, businesses — all those years,” Nix said.

Nix said he got his start making trophies for bowling leagues, something he was involved in. 

“I just saw the need,” he said. “There was only one source for trophies in Oconee County. Very limited for engraving, either had to go to a jewelry store to get something engraved or you had to send it off to get it engraved. So we started doing bowling trophies.” 

Nix got involved with the recreation department and began making Little League trophies. 

“When we first started, we actually molded, we took flat metal with a roller and actually rolled and made the columns,” he said, adding that as technology progressed, he had to stay with the times — albeit the costly times. 

“In the late 90’s, early 2000’s the lasers became in effect,” Nix said. “I bit the bullet and spent about $20,000 for a laser machine, and that opened up a whole avenue.”

That new technology was money well spent for his business as his works are featured prominently across both Oconee and Pickens counties. 

“You can look at the schools in Oconee County. Look at Blue Ridge Elementary, Northside Elementary, Seneca High School, the new (Seneca) Middle School, Walhalla High School, West-Oak (High School) and West-Oak Middle School,” he said. “We’ve done all the signage for them. All the interior signage.”

Nix said his work is also featured across Seneca City Hall and Oconee Memorial Hospital, and his shop did and still does a lot of work for Clemson University, including both athletic and academic awards. 

Customer service

Customer service has always been a huge part of what Nix and his team does. He talked about the process it takes to send something online and get it engraved — and that the customer service you experience there can’t match your local shop. 

Nix later told a story that he used to tell his employees about the importance of good customer service. He used an example that if the wife of a local plant manager were to come in and buy something on the cheaper side, you still should give her the same respect and courtesy as you would a big spender. She might turn around and tell her husband that she either faced great, or bad, customer service and that’ll play into his decision when he’s later giving out hypothetical safety awards at the plant. 

“You go to a restaurant, eat a bad meal — you’re gonna tell 10 people how bad it was,” Nix said. “You go to a restaurant, eat a good meal, you’re not gonna mention it until someone asks, ‘Hey, where’s a good place to eat?’ And then you’ll tell them.”

‘Thanks for 42 years’

Nix said his most memorable project is one that is still very apparent in the county. 

“Go to the Oconee County Courthouse, see all those plaques across that wall and that big eagle sitting up on top — that’s probably the one that I would say, because I knew my work was going to be there for a long, long time,” Nix said. 

What will Nix miss most about running the local trophy shop? 

“The people I have got, by being the trophy shop, the connections I have made through the organizations. I’ve been in the rotary club now 37-38 years and it was by this (the trophy shop),” he said. “It was fun to come to work because you didn’t know what your day was going to be.” 

One thing Nix emphasized was his gratitude, giving a big thank you to people and the communities that have supported him. 

“Thanks for 42 years,” he said. “Moving forward, you’ll find the same service and everything you get with the new management, with Christi Jones. She’ll still have the same staff.” 

‘Like riding a horse in a hurricane’

New owner Christi Jones has had experience in the past with embroidery and other design options, something she said would lend her success in her new profession. She learned of the opportunity to buy the shop when she was at another local business.

“I was down at Diamond T Promotions, and Tyler Swain asked me what I was doing. And I said, ‘I’m working part time.’ And he said, ‘You should buy Ralph’s Trophy Shop,’” Jones said. “I came by and talked to Ralph and within the next week, we started the process.”

Though it’s been an easier transition than most would have, Jones still has a lot to learn, including becoming acquainted with the machines. 

“It’s been like riding a horse in a hurricane,” she said. “This is their busy season. I’ve just more or less tried to help where I’m needed.”

Of course, when ownership changes hands, people will wonder — are there going to be any changes? 

Nope. 

“The name won’t change. He’s built this, he’s a legend in this town,” Jones said. “Probably every child in this town has a trophy from Ralph’s (Trophy Shop). And so that will not change.”

Echoing Nix’s statements from earlier, Jones emphasized the same loyal and dedicated employees from Nix’s tenure will be staying on with her. And while the core of business won’t change, Jones said some new things might be in store.

“We probably will add some things, as far as what we offer,” she said. “I just want to make sure everybody knows that we’re not just a trophy shop. We do lots of things other than trophies.

“I just want people to know that they’ll get the same service, the same quality, the same friendly faces that they have,” she added. “I’m just appreciative of Ralph for allowing me to come in and continue with his name, because it’s still his name on the door. I’m the new Ralph, basically.”