The Bob Weaver Family, Bob, Peggy, and Preston, hosted the Business After Hours event for local
business owners, on Thursday afternoon, at their Town and Country Cleaners.

 

Town & Country Cleaners Hosts
"Business After Hours"

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

A large group of Chamber of Commerce members, guests, and business owners gathered at Town and County Cleaners for the first of many future "Business After Hours" meetings, on Thursday afternoon. Bob and Peggy Weaver, owners of Town and Country Cleaners, and their son, Preston, were hosts for the event which was designed to promote business partnerships and camaraderie among local business owners. "Let's face it, we're all in this business thing together," Weaver reminded those present. "You spend dollars at my business and I turn around and bring my dollars to your business, when I trade with you! It's all a piece of the pie!"

Sherry Moore and Charlotte Baxter both sign their names for the door-prize drawing at Thursday's
Business After Hours Event.

 

Carla Garner and Daci Rawson discuss some of the many joys and disappointments in the local
business climate and look for ways to solve the problems, while enjoying Thursday's opportunity
at the Business After Hours Event.

Some 35 local business owners visited with one another and met those whom they did not know, personally, in an informal setting designed for just that purpose. "When someone personally knows the fellow down the street, knows where his kids go to school, and what beauty operator his wife uses, they tend to develop relationships," expressed Weaver, further. "And, those relationships are what a small town such as Sulphur Springs is all about. It's the reason that many of the new people moving to Hopkins County are seeking!"

Networking.........Deborah Wright and Carrie Berry, with Century-21, discuss some of the related business
challenges in Real Estate and Finance, with Helen McDaniels of Community Bank.

 

 

 

Billy Sam Elliott, center, discusses the business climate in Hopkins County and the ability of
local business owners to work together, with several of those who attended Thursday's event.

Billy Sam Elliott, Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce CEO, was available to answer questions about Chamber of Commerce membership and the many advantages of joining other local business leaders in promoting Hopkins County Business. "Anytime you have local business owners joining efforts, everyone benefits," denoted Elliott. " Groups of businesses can accomplish much more than just one local shop or retailer. And, this new program can have lasting benefits for local business throughout the county!

Both Pansy Bell, left, and Amy Smith, right, found the "Bunny Rabbit Suit" hanging in Town and Country Cleaners
and had to have an explanation of the garment, from owner Bob Weaver.

Weaver and his family gave those present a tour of their business and showed them the different steps involved in both the laundry and dry cleaning of clothes. A variety of computer technology in the business was discussed, as well as a few of the older type machines that are still in use, because nothing has been developed to take their place. Some of those present were introduced to "DAVY" the shirt press that Weaver uses in some of his advertising, as well as meeting "Suzie" another machine that is used in the pressing of dresses.

Judy Gillem, local Chamber of Commerce Director, visits with Community Bank's Jimmy Richards
and David Brewer, as they discuss the many aspects of Hopkins County business.

"The theory behind 'Business After Hours' is to encourage informal networking and the formulation of alliances between businesses in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County," continued Weaver. "Afterall, we're all in this game together and many of us find that we have some of the very same problems or those that are similar. And, the guy down the street may have found a solution to something we're needing fixed, if we only have the forum to discuss it!"

Left to right, Judy Gillem, Deborah Wright, Joel Jackson, and Matt Brown, watch as Bob Weaver
explains the shirt-press in his cleaners.

The Thursday event was catered by Chamber of Commerce member Plain and Fancy and an enjoyable hour of visiting was enjoyed by all of those in attendance. The next Business After Hours event will be hosted by Deborah Wright, at Century-21 First Group, where she will give a tour of her new offices, located at the corner of Linda Drive and Gilmer Street. The public is invited and watch in the Chamber of Commerce Newsletter for the dates of the event to be hosted in July.

 

Edward Jones' Chris Coleman, left, and Joel Jackson, of Guaranty Bond Bank, discuss many of
the challenges facing business in the Hopkins County and Sulphur Springs area, at Thursday's
Business After Hours.

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