Meet Karen Mason of Duck and Decanter in Central and Camelback Corridor

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Mason.

Karen, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
In the 60’s; my dad, Earl Mettler, found himself in an administrative position with an insurance company that required a lot of traveling, it also meant we had to relocate from Arizona, the only state our family lived in, to northern California. My mom, Dorothy Mettler sold her nursery school business that she ran for 20 years, and also became pregnant after a 10 year gap from the youngest of three siblings, The world was certainly turning this family of five, soon to be six, along with two dogs, two cats, a guinea pig named Jenny and 2 monkeys (but that’s another story) upside down.

It didn’t take Dad long to notice that he was missing the primary “firsts” of his last child, that led to discussions with Mom, that the two decided to quit his well-paying position, come back to Phoenix and finally open up their own food business. The one I saw written with hand drawn pictures and notes in a steno pad, a dozen years before describing their “dream business”.

Not knowing what it would look like, or where it would be located, and getting close to expending most of the family’s savings, Dad finally found the ad posted for a small deli located on 16th St and Camelback, called Duck and Decanter, and knew he found what he was looking for.

It was long before Mom and Dad had created the hottest place in Phoenix to get a hand crafted sandwich, exactly how you like it stacked. On a glorious southwest afternoon, it was not unusual for us to make 800 sandwiches a day. Duck and Decanter also became the first in Phoenix to introduce espresso based coffee drinks, sell loose tea, cheese boards, wine tastings, imported foods and exotic kitchenware. We grew to 5 locations throughout the Valley of the Sun.

After Mom and Dad retired, the working siblings (Jolynn, the youngest, myself, Karen, and older brother, Randy) had to rethink what made us passionate about the business instead of trying to keep the flame lit that our parents started. Today the business represents just that.

We built upon the menu listening to customers’ desires and making conscious food decisions. We also shifted the primary focus of imported foods and housewares to locally owned and operated foods, beverages, home/giftware. We have become a local retail business that is conscious about the footprint and impact we make. We built a stronger connection in supporting our neighborhood local non-profits, schools and churches, as if we were a part of co-creating community around our only remaining location.

It was the passion and shared love of our parents in business that created an atmosphere where each guest felt welcomed every time they came and were served quality food and caring presentation representing that same energy. It remains a place where we watch children clamor to the toy chest to get their one free toy, and now introducing their children, and grandchildren to do the same, where our guests take pride in showing their friends around, again and again.

When you’ve been in business for 45 years, supported and nurtured by an ever growing guest list, as we have fed them both body and soul, you can’t help but become an icon.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Forty five years in business, and you bet there was some rough bumps, and events that happened beyond our control to change the destiny of this cute little gourmet store/sandwich eatery of five locations.

In the mid 80’s, the Savings and Loan failure forced us to close three of our 5 locations, and file Chapter 11 Bankruptcy (1 in 100 business survive this), while a major highway being constructed was cutting through within 50 ft. of our main entrance.

Lost in the construction, many customers thought we had just disappeared. It took several years to rebuild some of that, much longer to recover financially. We would not have been able to do that without our loyal and patient team members, and our loyal band of guests who came in almost every day to help remind us … it’s worth the fight.

Duck and Decanter – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are a specialty sandwich spot that has a market place containing local and imported cheeses, meats, wine, beer, coffee, tea, as well as unique gifts and household goods. An urban market of sorts.

Though our sandwiches and products are all worth boasting about, it is the experience one feels when they walk into the store. A genuine welcome from staff members who have found the best way to utilize their gifts by serving others.

It’s all about energy. When you have a happy staff member making a sandwich with quality products, and customer service that is grateful you came in that day; you’re going to have an enjoyable experience. We are co-creating community with all our stakeholders, team members, guests, and vendors.

It certainly isn’t about being wealthy, it’s about being sustainable, appreciated and satisfied at the end of each day.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Speaking on behalf of my family; success is affirmed every day in the rich relationships we have with our stakeholders; staff, guests, vendors, local musicians, and the local non-profits we support.

Every day we are reminded of how we have contributed to the lives of families as they have grown and have made “The Duck” as one of their traditions. Many of which our guests were first introduced to us when they were a child, visiting our “Treasure Box” for a complimentary toy. Today, they bring in their children to the same box.

A guest came to me on our 45th Anniversary and waited patiently while I was assisting another. When she had her chance, she said; “Thank-you. Thank-you for…” she looked up like she was considering what she was going to say next. “Thank-you for being the only consistent thing in my life.”

Success? Co-creating community with our neighbors in a mutually benefiting way that grounds each of us in gratitude every time we connect.

Contact Info:

• Address: 1651 E. Camelback Rd
• Website: www.duckanddecanter.com
• Phone: 6022745429
• Email: karen@duckanddecanter.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DuckandDecanter/

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.