Traveler by Andr? Totes Upscale Luggage

Owners: Willie, Andrea and Sharon Ming

Address: 230 W. Dickson St., Suite 3, Fayetteville 72701

Phone: (501) 251-8150/251-9192

Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Wednesday

Start-up date: Sept. 15

Northwest Arkansas resident Willie Ming co-owns and manages Traveler by André, a new luggage and travel accessory store in the Three Sisters building on Dickson Street in Fayetteville. The shop stocks mid- to high-quality name brands, including Travel Pro, which is carried by many airline flight crews. Piquadro and De Bon Leather also are featured.

Ming displays various sizes of travel pieces — including briefcases, suitcases, wallets, planners and travel pillows — on custom-made wooden racks in the 2,000-SF store. He wouldn’t disclose the business’ start-up costs.

With luggage-sales experience, Ming targets corporate travelers. He said his store has the potential to sell $1 million annually in Northwest Arkansas.

Ming’s sister, Sharon, her husband Andrea Ming (no relation prior to the marriage), and a silent partner in Fort Smith also co-own Traveler by André. Sharon and Andrea Ming live in Poteau, Oklahoma.

Willie Ming said they chose to open the store in Northwest Arkansas because it tends to remain economically stable, even if other parts of the state suffer.