Jess and Ian Haisley opened Parker + Scott in July 2022 to create a curated shopping option of products that are better for you and better for the planet.
How did you come up with the name Parker + Scott?
The name Parker + Scott is inspired by our two boys, who are stepbrothers, sharing the same first name (Ayden and Aiden). We wanted a name that reflects our family and the close-knit, community-oriented spirit of our store. After we came up with the name, we had a daughter. One day she’ll probably ask why her name isn’t included, so we might need to open another shop named after her!
What led you to start the store?
The inspiration came from a trip we took to Brighton, England, in 2016. We fell in love with a shop there that was nothing like what we built, but it sparked our own conversations. We have retail backgrounds and we've always wanted to create something of our own. Plus, we care deeply about leaving the world a better place for our kids. By helping our community make greener and more sustainable choices, we believe we can make a small but meaningful impact. We started Parker + Scott to bring a comfortable and curated shopping experience to our Austin neighborhood, where we live and raise our three kids. We wanted to create a store that not only serves the community but is also a part of it, focusing on sustainability and supporting local brands.
I love how supportive you are of Texas and women-owned brands! How do you source most of the things you carry?
We focus on sourcing products that are made in Austin and throughout Texas. Supporting women-owned brands and small businesses is a top priority for us. In the year leading up to our opening, we visited numerous markets to meet makers and build strong relationships. Referrals from these makers have been invaluable, allowing us to grow with trusted partners. We've also spent countless hours online, scouring the web and Instagram for Texas-based makers and brands. If we can't find what we need locally, we expand our search to the rest of the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and ultimately Europe. Our goal is to offer products that are better for the earth without drastically changing your lifestyle to shop greener.
How have you pivoted, if you have?
While our core values have remained the same, we have continuously adapted to better meet the needs of our customers. Early on, we realized that adding better-for-you snacks alongside our other products helped parents provide healthier options for their kids. This adjustment has been incredibly successful, and our snack selection is now one of our favorite aspects of the shop.
What’s a long-term goal?
We hope to open more stores in Texas to bring sustainable shopping to more communities. Our goal is to make eco-friendly and locally sourced products accessible to as many people as possible, helping to create a greener future for all Texans.
What kind of brands/products are in the refill bar?
Our refill bar features a wide range of eco-friendly home cleaning supplies and personal care products. This includes dish soap, laundry soap, hand soap, all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, stainless steel cleaner, dishwasher tabs, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and more, all from sustainable brands.
Is the refill bar popular? Yes, the refill bar has been very popular with our customers. They appreciate the convenience and the opportunity to reduce single-use plastic waste. We see customers come back time and time again to refill the same containers, which is a testament to the success of this initiative. It's working – together, we're helping to keep trash out of the ground. Every little bit helps, and our community's commitment to sustainable practices is truly making a difference.
Anything you’d like to add?
We are incredibly grateful for the support from our customers and community. At Parker + Scott, we feel fortunate not just to be located in the community but to have been embraced as a part of it. This connection with our customers is deeply important to us, and it motivates us to keep pushing forward.
2113 West Anderson Lane, Austin, TX 78757