If you commute to downtown Greensboro, there may be many a morning you spot a svelte and stylish dog walker, Robin Mack Davis on a morning stroll with her boxer, Esme. Esme is the official greeter at Robin’s retail store, Mack and Mack on Elm Street, and lucky for Robin she’s a morning person.

The store’s official history began in 1995 amongst much construction and revamping of the Greensboro downtown area. Robin took a chance that the downtown area would rebound, and she has not been disappointed.

One of the more distinctive characteristics of the store is that most of the merchandise displayed is designed and produced right on the premises. While not an exclusive process, it’s not common. It has many advantages, but maybe the greatest is that it sets the store in a class almost impossible to categorize. In a world of box stores and massive producers of fashion, you can assure yourself that a visit to Mack and Mack is a distinctive shopping experience.

In addition to retail, it’s not uncommon to find musical or dance programs as well as parties. Robin opens her door to many, and for many of the local not for profit agencies, they have found a friend and a venue at the Mack and Mack location.

Like all works that reflect individuality, concepts do not spring from nowhere. They "spring" over a long period of time, like a recipe made up of hard work, tough and rewarding relationships, failures, successes, and determination.

While talking with Robin, you sense that she knows exactly what she wants, and what’s right for her. Yet at the same time, you also sense a very non-judgmental attitude and an open mind. Robin doesn’t make a point of it, but her sense of optimism is as prevalent as her sense of style.

Her path has taken her from her upbringing and education in North Carolina, to the free style fashion scene of 1970s New York. She’s had adventures trying to find her way to where she wanted to be, but her sense of family landed her right back to where she started. She probably doesn’t directly resemble the college grad that left many years ago, but the finished product is more seasoned, and probably more contented.

Arguably, Robin’s greatest influence in fashion is derived from her relationship and time spent with her mentor, James Clarke. One of her first "real" jobs was sewing for Clarke, a New York fashion designer. That took her to a long stint running his retail store in New York, a role she reassumed after he fell ill many years later.

After a bout of sickness, Clarke passed away, and Robin was left with his legacy of patterns. Those patterns, certain style secrets and the introduction to what Robin calls her "magic fabric," were the catalyst to what Mack and Mack is today. When Robin speaks of fabric and fashion, you get a sense of her passion. These are far from just dresses and gowns. Everything from the description of sewing processes to discussing the outfit designed specifically for Michelle Obama, you get the sense of reverence she attaches to what she does.

Robin’s passion doesn’t stop at attire. "I’m a foodie!" she confesses. She loves food and "the rich grape flavors in wine." As a matter of fact, one possible career didn’t happen when her father, also a foodie, helped her start up a Fresh Foods to Go business in Charlotte. "Charlotte might have been a little too provincial at the time. After all, it was only 1981," Robin describes. She might have been a bit ahead of her time, so the business didn’t work out. She did, however, end up meeting John, a sous chef and her future husband. John’s talents run way past cooking. "He can pick up any musical instrument [even something he has never touched before], say he can’t play it, and then begin playing it."

She is an active proponent of downtown Greensboro. She speaks of the refurbishing in terms of the obvious progress and the success it will absolutely become. There is no room for maybe. She seems to have faith in humanity that, while we might be on the cusp of technological advances difficult to conceive, there are still old school values and standards that will always be in style. As she puts it, quot;Downtown is the soul of the city. No one visits a city and says, ‘let’s go see their mall!’"

Her store is a reflection of herself. Her employees seem happier than most, and thoroughly unwilling to follow a more traditional path. Her relationship with her employees seems very much like that of her husband and partner John. You sense an understood sharing of goals. Without fanfare or notice, everyone seems to enjoy the day without worry about the process. In other words, much like a family.

Robin’s penchant for fashion is probably no accident. Her mother was an accomplished seamstress, and quite by surprise, she found that her Aunt Madelyn was an exceptionally talented fashion artist. Her aunt 30’s era drawings adorn the walls at Mack and Mack, and provide just one more element of character to the store, right along with the piano, and of course, Esme.

"I want to do what’s right for the big picture," when asked about her philosophy of doing business. But make no mistake about it; this store is all about shopping. While listening to Robin discuss the store and the manner in which women dress themselves, you go way beyond fabric hanging on a body. This is a well thought out strategy on how color, fabric and design bring out the best in a woman.

As with many aspects of her life, again, there simply is no "maybe."