CULLMAN, Ala. – Leldon Maxcy was just 11 or 12 years old when he purchased his first scroll saw. More than 20 years later, this self-taught artisan and Vinemont graduate has his own storefront in Cullman’s Warehouse District, showcasing not only his amazing woodworking talents, but also the talents of other artists and craftsmen he met along the way.
Leldon’s opened Aug. 7 and despite the road construction taking place in the Warehouse District at the moment, Maxcy said he has been surprised with the community’s response.
“I am very happy!” he smiled.
Leldon’s has many of unique wood and leather items created by Maxcy, as well as many one-of-a-kind pieces. The shop has many beautiful cutting and chopping boards, personalized journal/notebook covers and other decorative pieces.
Opening his own store has always been a dream of Maxcy’s.
“It’s always something I wanted to do and I never really thought it would be possible,” he said. “You never actually think your dreams can actually happen. Then COVID made it happen. All the craft shows were canceled and I had nothing coming up. I was like, ‘What am I going to do?’ My wife and I were driving through and this building was open.”
After years on the craft show circuit, Maxcy knows many other local and area vendors, and he reached out to them when he decided to open his storefront. He has filled Leldon’s with a variety of items that also features the skills and imagination of others in the Cullman area.
He said, “I have from local vendors, all the jewelry, earrings and necklaces. They are all made in Decatur by two different artists. The blown glass and pendants and bottle toppers are made in Tuscaloosa by Little Sandy Glass.”
He also has candles from two different Birmingham vendors, pottery from Palm Tree Pottery out of Russellville and Magic seasonings from Birmingham.
“The table, I didn’t make the table, he is out of Vinemont,” he said. “All the abstract artwork is from Linda Goldstein out of Birmingham, and portraits and other artwork, including the cards, are from Laura Walker.”
Leldon’s carries local favorites from Holly Pond, including items from Alabama Mud Coffee Co. and tea towels and handmade bags from another Holly Pond artist. He has hairbows for little girls from Hayden and soaps and other bath products made in Birmingham. Emily’s Heirloom Pound Cakes can also be found at Leldon’s.
Leldon’s has your funny socks, underwear and bowtie needs covered. They are made in Mobile. Maxcy also has adorable, crocheted animals made by his wife, super soft plush animals, wooden wands for the wizards out there and other fun products and toys for kids.
Alabama Dirt Shirts and other tees unique to Alabama can be found in the store, including one featuring the famous “Go to church or the devil will get you” Interstate 65 sign.
“I do all the cutting boards, book covers, the signs, the Cullman and Smith Lake signs. I ran out of time so I didn’t get to make a lot of stuff. It’s a lot of work to open a store apparently,” Maxcy laughed. “I took it easy on whatever I had and just filled it up with other people’s. I can always add stuff. I have an engraver in the back that I still have to get set up this week and I will be able to personalize anything from the woodwork to some of the leather wallets and stuff.”
He explained, “There is so much talent in Alabama that I wanted to stay mostly in Alabama. Most I met at craft shows, and I’ve been doing shows for 20 years. Going around and meeting all the people and making those connections, I feel like that helps. It really helps this. I could have put only woodwork in here, but it wouldn’t have had the same appeal, I don’t think. Wood is good, but not everybody wants a wooden notebook cover.”
Maxcy is looking forward to the upcoming holiday season and decorating his new store with beautiful decorations and handmade ornaments, one of his specialties.
“I plan on having Santa here and I’m going to have Christmas trees full of ornaments,” he laughed. “I have plans to go broke on Christmas decorations, I think.”
Maxcy is married with two children. Son Elijah is 6, and daughter Adeline is 4. His wife Sheena helps fill the store with her crocheting talents.
Leldon’s is located at 106 First Ave. NE in Cullman’s Warehouse District and is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
For more information, visit www.leldonmaxcy.com/, www.facebook.com/Leldons/ or on Instagram @leldonsscrollsawing.
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