Third generation print company going strong for 30 years

Published 11:45 am Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Cliff Fountain took over the family business of Cullman Quick Copy after the passing of his parents —the first generation owners of the local printing company, and has recently celebrated 30 years running in Cullman.

Former owners Pete and Nancy Fountain opened the Quick Copy on Sept. 15,1988.

Current owner and son Cliff Fountain helped keep the business going from 2008 until 2013 while his parents were in bad health. His wife, Kristy, also joined him on the move to Cullman.

In 2014 after both of his parent’s had passed while in their late 70s, he chose to keep up the family name and run the location,

“The location that we are at now is actually the third one that we have had,” Cliff said. “As the machines got heavier in the previous locations, the floor collapsed- so we decided to move in order to avoid continued flooring issues. We had been living in Huntsville previously for 36 years before moving to Cullman, and this community truly welcomed us with open arms and helped us keep the business going.”

After Fountain’s wife died earlier this year, he contacted his daughter Shanna Fountain and she relocated to Cullman to help with the store.

“I was married twice. With my first wife I had Shanna and Todd, and then married my second wife who passed away this year. The crazy thing is, my first wife, and Shanna and Todd’s mother passed away just four months after that. Shanna was living with Todd, taking care of her mother until that point in Grant, Alabama,” Cliff said. “She moved here and is now working full time here time here with me, and that has helped tremendously.”

Shanna said she is thrilled to be living in Cullman and excited to be able to work in a third-generation business and watching it grow.

Although like many small businesses, change and hardships come and go. Cliff said the last few years have brought the most growth he has seen since he has been running the store.

“It’s really been an eye-opener. Cullman has grown so much and I think due to its growth is the reason we are seeing these busy seasons,” Cliff said. “We are keeping up with all the changes in technology and new techniques which helps up keep up with our competition at stores like UPS and Office Max. I truly believe the reason we are in the place we are now is because the community got to know me in those years I was here working with dad, and they continued to support and use our services. You know, I didn’t grow up here, so I had to meet everyone and start from the ground up. This business allowed me to do that. I love this community.”

Something that Cullman Quick Copy does differently is they offer many options to other businesses, architects and lawyers with their services.

“One thing that has helped us actually took off while we were eating at All Steak,” Cliff said. “We were there for lunch and of course started talking about business. We started researching menus for the business. Next thing we know, we have Cisco doing the artwork and my wife was the designer then. Then we did menus for Busy Bee, Moe’s, Brother’s, 412 Public House, Casa Fiesta, Rumors and others. We also do lawyers briefs for them, architecture prints, flyers, basic copies, non-profit event flyers, among other things. For the non-profit groups, we try and offer them a discount to give back to the community in that way.”

The best way to do work with Cullman Quick Copy is by email or dropping by during their store hours Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m.- 4 :30 p.m. On Saturday, the shop is open for special events and requests.

“I’m usually here on Saturday to catch up on work and clients can usually find me here if they need special work done,” Cliff said. “I love my job and this company. I want to give every customer a positive attitude and smile when they walk in the door. This community has been great to me and my family and I hope to continue supporting it and giving back.”

Cullman Quick Copy recently celebrated its 30th year in business and was honored with the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce’s Small business of the month award in September.

“I’m a member of the Chamber and I didn’t expect that at all, it was such a nice surprise,” Cliff said. “We had a small ceremony here and invited architects and customers that use us. It was truly an honor.”

The business is located on 202 1st Avenue SE Suite E in Cullman.