“A few years ago, there were eight or nine empty buildings along our main street. Now, it’s hard to even find an open office space downtown.”
That quote comes from a businesswoman who has observed the resurgence of businesses in her community of Council Grove. This downtown, independent business renaissance has been led by women.
Last week we met Jennifer Kassebaum, who recently opened a bookstore in Council Grove. Her business is one of many new enterprises downtown. Julie Hower, president and CEO of Farmers & Drovers Bank in Council Grove, recently convened a group of downtown business owners. They met in the office of Zoey Bond, executive director of the Council Grove Area Trade and Tourism Association, and shared about their businesses.
For example:
Lindsey Forge is the owner of Weathered Wood Home, a vintage home décor furnishing business.
As a mother of four, she was a stay-at-home mom for eight years who found she enjoyed woodworking and building furniture. “This became a hobby that got out of control,” Lindsey said with a smile.
She started using reclaimed barn wood to make picture frames and expanded to offer candles and many other types of home décor products. In addition to her online business, she opened a downtown boutique in Council Grove in 2016. See www.weatheredwoodhome.com.
