With the opening of Escambia Design, Photos by Mandie on June 1, the community is gaining a business which provides new services to the Atmore area. Jonathan and Mandie Thompson, owners of the newest downtown business, offer design and computer options, as well as photography sessions.

Jonathan focuses on the graphic design, web design and computer programming sides of their business.

“My aim along the computer side of things is to provide reasonably priced services,” Jonathan said. “I do any type of two-dimensional design you can think of. That’s t-shirt designs, business cards, signs. One the web side of things, I provide hosting services, have my own servers and have been writing code.”

Mandie, who specializes in maternity and children photography, also does wedding, engagement and family portraits.

“My wife’s been doing photography locally for over a year,” Jonathan said.

The couple, who has lived in Atmore for over two years, has been working from home. They recently realized they needed a location on the hustle and bustle of busy Highway 21.

“We really needed a storefront, it was the next logical step,” Jonathan said.

The beauty of having a store that houses both businesses is that Jonathan can stock parts for computers, and Mandie will eventually have a studio for her photography. Jonathan wants to prevent Atmore residents from having to travel out of town if they have a computer problem.

“As far as the parts go,” Jonathan said, “I would like to have basically one of everything, so you don’t have to go to Pensacola every time some little mishap happens.”

He also knows that a studio will help Mandie, who in the past has struggled with fighting mother nature for her on location photography sessions, build her business.

“Now Mandie will have a place that is not exposed to the elements,” Jonathan said.

Escambia Design, Photos by Mandie is located at 115 North Main Street. Business hours are Monday – Friday 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. The Thompsons can be reached at 251-368-2829.