The Neighborhood Shop with Heart - Partnering with Parker & Scott

Last summer, my coworker and I visited several cafes and retail stores around Austin to let people sample our chocolate bars. I can't count how many times I said, "Hello, we are KESSHO, an Asian-inspired bean-to-bar chocolate maker newly relocated to Austin. Would you be interested in sampling some of our chocolate bars?" I sweated so much that I felt like I was melting before our chocolates did. It was frustrating; we didn't hear back from anyone for three months. Selling chocolate in the hot Texan summer was, in hindsight, a bad idea.

Then, one day in November, we got a message on Instagram asking, "Hi y'all! Are you doing wholesale?" The account was called Parker and Scott, and I instantly fell in love with their logo's font. Mark visited the shop that afternoon and dropped off some samples. It’s such a cute shop!

Parker and Scott became our first retail partner in Austin, opening the door to many more opportunities. They introduced us to an incredible community of like-minded customers who support local, women-owned businesses and live sustainably.

Earlier this month, Parker and Scott celebrated their second anniversary. I asked Ian, the co-owner of Parker and Scott, if I could conduct a small interview with him. He happily accepted my invitation.

See the interview below!

1. How do you define “Parker and Scott”?

Parker and Scott is a neighborhood shop with a heart. We’re all about creating a warm, welcoming space where sustainability meets community. Located in Austin’s Crestview neighborhood, our store is named after our boys—Ayden Parker and Aiden Scott—and reflects the values we live by: supporting local and women-owned businesses, reducing waste, and making life a little greener and more joyful. We offer a bit of everything, from eco-friendly home goods to locally sourced snacks, all carefully chosen to be both practical and delightful.

2. What is your primary motivation?

Our main motivation is pretty simple: we want to make a positive impact, both in our community and on the planet. As parents, we care deeply about the world we’re leaving for our kids, which is why sustainability is at the core of everything we do. We’re passionate about offering products that are not only great to use but also better for the environment. And beyond that, we want Parker and Scott to be a place where everyone feels welcome, like you’re part of something special every time you walk through our doors.

3. What’s your product selection process like?

When it comes to choosing what we stock at Parker and Scott, we’re all about finding products that are good for the earth and made by people we believe in. We start by looking locally—right here in Texas—and prioritize women-owned brands whenever possible. If we can’t find it locally, we expand our search, but we always keep an eye on sustainability and quality. We want the things we carry to be practical, well-made, and enjoyable to use, whether it’s a kitchen gadget, a cozy blanket, or a snack you’ll love.

4. What are the fun facts you’d love people learn about Parker and Scott?

  • Kid-Friendly Zone: We’ve made sure our store is a place where kids can have fun too. There’s a spot with blocks and a drawing wall where they can let loose while you shop.

  • Community Love: We’re more than just a store; we’re a community hub. For example, you can pick up your favorite local cookies from Cookie Wookie Kitchen or Lyssie Lou’s Cookie Co. right in our shop.

  • Refillery: We’re big on reducing waste, so we offer a refillery where you can refill containers with eco-friendly cleaning supplies and personal care products. It’s our little way of helping you cut down on single-use plastic.

  • Ridwell Partnership: We’re proud to partner with Ridwell to make recycling a breeze. You can drop off hard-to-recycle items like batteries, light bulbs, and even Styrofoam at our shop, and Ridwell will take care of the rest. It’s just one more way we’re working to keep our community green and clean.


5. How did you discover KESSHŌ, and what is your favorite KESSHŌ chocolate?

We were recommended KESSHO by a friend. We take brand and partner recommendations from our friends, family, and customers very seriously. Our shop is a reflection of our own needs and tastes and when we love something we hope our customers will too! With KESSHŌ, that was definitely the case. We obsess over the Boba Tea flavor in our house and recommend that flavor to anyone who will listen :) 

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