LODGE GRASS — The town’s eighth annual cleanup was held Saturday in Lodge Grass.
But that’s not all. Two new businesses were celebrated as the first to open in town in more than 40 years.
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“A brand new store will open where the last store (Cozy Corner) closed,” Lodge Grass Mayor Quincy Dabney said Saturday.
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Mr Dabney was elated as local residents gathered Saturday to take part in the clean-up and welcome the new business to Lodge Grass.
“The cleanup was always a big part of the vision,” Dabney, who organized the cleanup eight years ago, said Saturday. “Clean the land, clean the town, prepare for what’s to come.”
It’s a way to instill pride in the community, he said.
“What we’re seeing here today is that vision finally unfolding,” Dabney said.
Another reason to celebrate this Saturday is the opening of the new Arise Coffee Shop and Barber Shop to the public.
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“This is the first business we’ve seen in well over 40, 50 years,” Dabney said.
Yaseer and Monique Handall wanted to implement community support projects like this, so they founded the nonprofit organization Arise Native Americans.
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“We believe not only in the transformation of people, but also in the transformation of communities,” Yasir said in Spanish, with Monique interpreting. “So this and everything we’re doing here is a goal toward that.”
Marval Bud Phelan and his wife Hannah also participated in the project. Merval works at Faith Chapel and becomes the shop’s barber.
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“If you put your main focus on restoration, it can really bring healing to a lot of people. That was my focus. That was my goal, and that’s what’s happening. ” Phelan said. You can serve and help many people. But I personally have found the (barber’s) chair to be truly life-changing. ”
Faith Chappell has offered to pay for drinks at the event for anyone interested. They also offered to pay for the haircuts as a fundraiser for the Lodge Grass Lesbian Kids Camp held by One Heart Warriors.
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The building used to be a flea market and was renovated by community members from Lodge Grass, Arise, and several missionaries from Washington.
“When you look at communities like this where you don’t see business, there aren’t a lot of jobs, so sometimes crime tends to increase,” Yasir said in Spanish with Monique interpreting. “This community has shown us that they really have great hope.”
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“We’re here as a missionary team to help create an environment here at Lodge Grass and get this new venture off the ground,” said Steve Rozier, one of the five missionaries. I’m just excited to be able to do it.”
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Mayor Dabney and the Handalls believe this is just the beginning.
“We’re actually looking at business incubators. We want to get restaurants to the top level. And housing as well. There’s still a lot of work to do, but that’s a good thing,” Dabney said. Ta.
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“This place could be reborn again,” Yasir said in Spanish, with Monique interpreting. “This is just a glimpse of what we think is on the forefront or future of Lodge Grass.”
Click here to learn more about Arise Native Americans.
