Faith, Family, and Business Inseparable for Mississippi Duck Call Craftsman

VICKSBURG, Miss.—The frenetic energy of a rapidly changing world isn’t welcome along the leisurely, bricked riverside street in the Civil War-era town of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Time saunters at its own pace, like a wayward Confederate soldier who preferred poetry over conscription. At the corner of Washington and Grove streets sits Parish Waterfowl Co., owned by Brad Eldridge, a man who chose to leave his 9-to-5 job to carve out his own life by making custom duck calls. The Parish Waterfowl Co. is both an espresso café and Mr. Eldridge’s woodworking shop. Usually, customers are greeted at the front door by Parish, Mr. Eldridge’s 8-year-old, 100-pound black lab rescue who retrieves fallen ducks when out on a hunt. However, on this rainy afternoon, he’s resting an injury at home....