Shop Local, Live Local How Our Small Businesses Build the Heart of Our City

Shop Local, Live Local

How Our Small Businesses Build

the Heart of Our City

Tim Holmes

The Ashland Beacon

Have you ever wondered how ordering a plate of wings in your favorite pub could help preserve our city’s history? It may sound simple—even surprising—but the truth is that every time we choose to support a local business, we’re doing far more than making a purchase. We’re strengthening families, fueling dreams, reviving traditions, and helping shape the future of Ashland and the surrounding community. Shopping local isn’t just an act—it’s an investment in who we are and who we want to become.

In the early 1980s, Clark’s Pump-N-Shop was just a single convenience store in Westwood, Kentucky. Today, that one storefront has grown into 67 locations across three states, proudly bearing the Pump-N-Shop name. Just around the corner from that first store stood a small home with a tiny beauty parlor called Barb-EE Beauty Boutique. That modest shop was this writer’s childhood home. With nothing but a foot-long sign and an eighth-grade education, my mother built a life for her family and raised three children—all of whom would go on to earn graduate degrees.

When we talk about “shop local,” many of us picture boutiques, small markets, curios, hair salons, food trucks, and local start-ups. Farmers’ markets, for example, are a shining example of this idea—rising in popularity throughout the late ’90s and continuing to grow because multiple generations understood the value of supporting local growers. Beyond the benefit of fresh food, a farmers’ market is living proof that shopping local strengthens the fabric of a community.

But what does “Shop Local” truly mean for you and me—and what impact does it have on the community as a whole?

The sobering answer becomes clear when we imagine what would happen if a city chose not to develop or attract new businesses. It risks becoming a stagnating ghost town—one people eventually leave behind. When we shop locally, we actively support the sustainability of our local economy. That support creates jobs for people in our community, who in turn—yes, you guessed it—shop within the community again. And the cycle continues.

So, when we talk about supporting small business, what we’re really saying is:“We want to grow together, strengthen our city, and build a thriving, economically healthy community.”

But the impact goes far beyond financial support. Shopping local builds connection. It builds community. According to Brent Clark, President of Clark’s Pump-N-Shop, his organization has employed tens of thousands of people over the years. That’s tens of thousands of families impacted—by one business that began as one store.

Clark’s Pump-N-Shop has spent decades giving back to the region. Their logo is displayed on nearly every school scoreboard in the area. They sponsor local athletes, help purchase uniforms, cover travel expenses for teams, and donate more cases of water than anyone could reasonably count. They are not just in the community—they are part of the community.

And the connections grow deeper every year. Pump-N-Shop recently launched a new Rewards Program offering customers in-store discounts, cents off fuel, and more. Anyone can ask an attendant to help download the app or visit their website at www.myclarkspns.com to learn more.

Kentucky has always had a remarkable tradition of seeing a need—and stepping up to meet it. One perfect example is Hallmark Homecare, founded by Mandy Kidwell, Owner and Caregiver Recruiter. Seeing the challenge of finding affordable elder care, Mandy used her 20 years of experience as an occupational therapist to create solutions for families in need. She offers free consultations to families and recruits’ caregivers to meet those needs.

If you or someone you know may benefit from her services—or if you’re interested in becoming a caregiver—Mandy can be reached at 606-775-0308, or through her website, www.hallmarkhomecare.com/154. Mandy encourages new business owners to “Know your WHY,” a message echoed by countless entrepreneurs:this community is WHY they do what they do.

Speaking of community, what does Mandy Kidwell have in common with Jerk Riley’s Irish Pub & Billiards in Ashland? More than you might think. Owner Billy Bare opened his doors to Mandy and several friends during a busy weekend so they could sing and raise money for Ashland’s Dancing with the Stars, benefiting the Highlands Museum. Jerk Riley’s has rapidly become a hub of local engagement—supporting events like Firkin Fest, boxing weigh-ins, Breast Cancer Awareness initiatives, veterans’ organizations, and of course, hosting the biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebration in the Tri-State. Billy has made it clear: his business is committed to respecting and uplifting the city it calls home.

These are just a few examples of local businesses speaking the same heartfelt language—one of pride, connection, and shared purpose. Despite differences in their industries, they share a common mission: to not just be IN the community, but to be PART OF it.

And THAT, my friends, is how ordering a simple plate of wings can help keep our history—and our hometown spirit—alive.

So the next time you’re deciding where to shop, where to eat, or where to turn for services, remember this: every local purchase is a vote for the future of our community. It strengthens families, fuels dreams, and keeps our hometown vibrant for generations to come. Let’s lift up the businesses that lift up us. Shop local. Support local. BE local. Because together, we’re not just building an economy—we’re building a legacy.