Meet The Crew

A Little #DSnalia History

Distinctive Specialties was established in March 1984 by two members of  Kappa  Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc, Thomas Roddey & "Mr. John."  The store was located on the corner of N. Tryon St. and Tom Hunter Rd., in Charlotte, NC.  A few years later another Kappa by the name Dr. Rufus Pettis,  a math professor at the time, at Johnston C Smith University,  joined the ownership team.  Years went by and Tom & John decided to focus on Kappa only apparel, and Dr. Pettis purchased the business as sole owner.  In 2000, Distinctive Specialties relocated to a brand new building, its current location at  7925 N Tryon St., where the entire commercial shopping center was built and owned by Dr. Pettis.  Around 2011, Dr. Pettis wanted to slow down and eventually retire.  For years he was looking for the right buyer, and someone that would carry on his legacy of enhancing the Masonic, OES and D9 Greek experience.  In June 2017,  the owners of soul food restaurant Koffee Kup & Londa's Place (located in Charlotte, NC) introduced, Ron & LaVonne McDowell to Dr. Pettis.  Dr. Pettis reviewed the couples' portfolio of their then "side business" of personalizing and customizing t-shirts, etc.  Four weeks later on July 27, 2017, I became the new owner of Distinctive Specialties. 

Owner, LaVonne McDowell

Store Manager, Susan Nichols

Sales Lead, Sharhonda McDowell

Jr Cashier & Designer Volunteer, Jordan Ancruem

Special Need Volunteers, Klarc Bryant (owner's daughter) & Brandon Greene

It takes a village:

Bookkeeper: L A Bookkeeping

Insured: The Hartford

Legal: David L. Tkach