Box Owls set to open in downtown Fletcher

The idea to name their business after owls first emerged in the late 1990s, when Therese and Joe McNeely completed their last duty station at Fort Sill. Although McNeely had spent short periods at Fort Sill for training and schools, this would be his family’s first chance to settle into the community. After moving around with the military, Joe and Therese McNeely welcomed a slower-paced life in the country and Fletcher delivered just the kind of lifestyle they were looking for. The couples’ love of owls paired with the nearby Elgin owl mascot cemented their decision to one day name their business Box Owls.

When the time camefor McNeely to retire, the choice to stay in the area was an easy one to make. He secured a job as a government contractor and raised his family in Fletcher. The McNeely children grew up in Fletcher Public Schools, and now their grandchildren attend those same schools. Having spent 20 of their 42 married years in Fletcher, the couple has planted deep roots in the community.

These days, McNeely serves as a consultant and spends most of his time in his shop designing distinctive custom woodwork. But he was not always this skillful. He first discovered a love of woodworking during his military career, when it developed as a hobby. Some of his first projects were wooden military plaques and boxes given as retirement gifts for service members. As his talent grew, he took on bigger projects. McNeely now designs unique pieces such as dovetailed furni- ture, wine racks, cornhole boards, coffee tables and barn-style sliding doors to cover entryways. Samples of his work are on display in the storefront located in downtown Fletcher. The McNeely’s drive as far away as Austin for wood, where they recently picked up some live-edge mesquite for a custom coffee table. When asked why they did not use local wood, Mc- Neely explained that the wood had to be kiln dried for one-to-two years to reach the quality he desired.

Although Box Owls officially began operating last January, the building was not purchased until March, when the pandemic hit. COVID-19 has impacted the couple’s plans for the store. For now, they will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Thursdays and Fridays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. When the pandemic is over, the McNeely’s plan to attend trade shows and other events to display their wares, and keep regular business hours. The Box Owl’s website and Facebook page are currently under development. However, visitors can see McNeely’s work at their Fletcher storefront at 510 W. Cole Avenue.