From Dry Cleaning To Go Fish

When life dictates a career change the first step in a new direction takes courage. That's the way it was for Jan and Gary Thomas of Tulsa. The family business closed, so they did extensive research into something new. The News On 6's Rick Wells reports they decided their best decision would be to Go Fish.

Gary and Jan Thomas owned Carter's Drive-In Cleaners, a business her family started in 1955. Urban renewal along 11th Street sent them looking for something new and they found it by starting their store, Go Fish Clothing and Jewelry Company.

"We're the only Go Fish store in the state," said Gary Thomas.

The store is full of hand-crafted merchandise from native artisans in countries like Peru, Indonesia, and Mexico. One of their favorite items is perasite wood. A parasite eats into the wood causing this mushroom like shape. The artist then carves it into a something like a lizard or a frog.

The clothing comes mostly from Indonesia. Throughout the store are pictures and stories about the artists whose creations are sold at the store.

Go Fish was created by Curt Coleman, who would go on mission trips to South America to see what the local artists had made. He thought they would sell in America. Now, there are 18 stores in 11 states. The Thomas' store is the only one in Oklahoma.

The Thomases researched the business thought it was a good fit for them.

"We decided to walk through the open door, instead of stand there and look at it," said Gary Thomas.

Go Fish is located inside the Tulsa Promenade Mall near 41st and Yale. It is on the upper level, near the food court.