Crawfords taking different Turning Point in their lives

By Myra Miller
myra.miller@eunicetoday.com

After 36 years of serving Eunice women with clothing and accessories, Turning Point will be closing its doors.
Owners Laddie and Debi Crawford plan to close their door in late October.
Turning Point, a family ran business, began in 1974.
Debi added, “My parents Verdi and J.B. LeRay moved to Eunice in 1974. They purchased the Jr. Boutique, LaParisienne Motel and Chatterbox Restaurant, all located in same block area of East Laurel, from the Shipleys. They ran the businesses together,”
After Debi graduated from the University of Houston in 1978, she and Laddie moved to Eunice.
Thus, Turning Point began...”We opened Turning Point which was located next to the Chatterbox Restaurant.”
No longer named the Jr. Boutique, she added, “We named it because it was a ‘turning point’ for us since we changed careers and made a big move in our life. We felt it was important to name our store with a meaningful and positive-feeling name.
The LeRays eventually retired. Debi said, “When my parents retired and closed Jr. Boutique, we remodeled and moved Turning Point into the larger boutique’s building in 2002.”
Turning Point officially opened its doors in late May of 1978. Debi said, “Laddie and I opened Turning Point in late May of 1978 and our store is in its 36th year of business. I was 24 at the time. We have always described it as a casual store with an emphasis on jeanwear. With my background in dance, it was a natural decision to include selling dance wear in our store.”
The Crawfords are closing due to a desire to be closer to their adult children and grandson, who reside in Georgia.
Debi added, “We will have to start looking for property in Georgia.
“Our son, Jason and his wife Crystal, live in Warner Robins and our daughter, Megan and her husband Jared, live in Smyrna with their one -year- old son, Davis.
“It is too early to say where we will end up, but Laddie, an avid fisherman, is really excited about the prospect of being able to fish all the Georgia lakes with his grandson! And, our three Schnauzers - Hans, Gunni and Zolli - will be moving with us.”
The Crawfords have made countless friendships through their business and the Eunice theater.
She added, “Laddie and I will walk away with lifelong friendships and beautiful memories of our stay in Eunice.
“We are grateful for the opportunity of raising our children in this community.
“The love and support that we have received since making this decision to close has been phenomenal. We ask that you keep us in your prayers as we transition to another turning point in our lives.”
Debi has been an avid supporter of the Eunice Players’ Theatre since locating here.
She has served on the theatre’s board of directors for 30 years and directed countless musicals, including “Nunsense”, “Fiddler On the Roof” and “Camelot”, and many dramas and comedies, including last year’s “The 39 Steps”.
This year she directed the children’s show, “Nick Tickle, Fairy Tale Detective” and in November she plans to direct “Harvey”.
Crawford received the distinguished Joanie Kerstein Award for Outstanding Musical Achievement. “It was such an honor bestowed on me by my fellow board members and the award is named after my mentor both in clothing and theatre, Joanie Kerstein.”
In 2010, Crawford fulfilled a dream of publishing a cookbook called “All you have to do is...” which included many recipes from her Eunice friends. She dedicated the cookbook to her late parents.
Crawford presently serves on the board of director for the Opelousas-Eunice Public Library.
The Turning Point property has been sold to Mike Patel, owner of the Eunice Inn.