Forcht Bank
2404 Sir Barton Way | 859.263.6525 | ForchtBank.com
Houston Hall is the Lexington Market President with Forcht Bank. As a husband with four children, balancing it all can be a challenge. “My biggest accomplishment is having a stable and successful private and professional life,” he said.
Forcht Bank is a full service, privately-held community bank created by Forcht Group Chairman, Terry Forcht. Their headquarters are in Lexington and they are committed to giving back to their hometown. “Im continually inspired by seeing the passion and commitment my coworkers have to making our community a better place to live through their countless volunteer hours,” Houston said. “Its truly inspiring!”
J. Galt Eyewear
800 Euclid Ave. | 859.294.2020 | jgalteyewear.com
Owners Dr. Dawn C. Stratton and Dr. Heechung Ko were inspired to start their practice as something fresh and exciting. “We wanted to fill a void here in Lexington and bring in something new. We had a desire to make a difference in the community where we live and work,” explained Dr. Ko. “We wanted to break the mold of sacrificing quality for cost by providing a high quality product at an affordable cost. We call that our affordable luxury.”
A big part of that mission was to offer eyewear that cant be found anywhere else in the area. “All of our frames are handmade and many are made from very unusual materials like wood or recycled paper,” explained Dr. Stratton. “Some of our glasses are funky, some are more traditional, and we can guarantee that they are all unique and almost impossible to find anywhere else in the country.”
Giving back was an essential part of their vision For every pair of glasses bought at J. Galt, they donate a pair to Mission Lexington to help an individual in need. Many of the vendors are also proud to give back: one company uses part of their profits to buy vitamins for children in third world countries while another donates to the Hellen Keller Foundation for the Blind.
M2 [email protected] | [email protected] | Twitter: @M2Strategies_
M2 was formed to be a voice for the millennial generation. “We believe our generation has the potential to truly shape our country and our world with our innovative thinking and holistic approach towards life,” Jane Knight said of the groups mission. “We want to bridge the gap of disconnect between different groups around Lexington, the country and the world in order to continue to make our community thrive in a positive direction.”
M2 is a strategic platform for millennials that offers PR and consulting services. Jane and fellow owner Wyatt Melzer know that millennials often feel pressured to move to big metro markets post-graduation in order to find a job, but often dont realize the opportunity for a thriving life often lies in smaller urban areas just like Lexington. “When a city is willing to grow and change while simultaneously keeping true to its roots, opportunity becomes abundant,” Jane said.
“Having spent the last 5 years in the hustle-and-bustle of New York City, what I have immediately realized about Lexington is how genuine and caring each person is in this great city,” Wyatt explained. “In a world where relationships mean everything, seeing over the past few months how much people want to help and make Lexington an even better place to live has been energizing and refreshing.”
J. Renders Southern Table & Bar
3191 Beaumont Centre Circle | 859.533.9777 | jrendersbbq.com
“Being a restaurant owner is definitely a challenge, but we enjoy every minute of it,” said Gwyn Everly. Together with her husband Ren, they enjoy meeting new people, seeing familiar faces, and having “regulars” in the restaurant. They believe Lexington and the people who live here are the reason for their success. “Lexington is a Small Big Town and Lexingtonians have embraced us. We couldnt be more thankful.”
J. Renders catering business has grown tremendously. People enjoy live music on the patio, smoked prime rib on Tuesdays and brunch on Sundays. “There is no place we would rather own a business than in Lexington. We appreciate everyone supporting our small, locally owned business!”
Scout & Mollys
120 Summit at Fritz Farm, Ste. 140 | 859.935.5929 | lexington.scoutandmollys.com
Ami Bertrand and Terri Stein opened Scout & Mollys at The Summit this spring. The boutique carries beautiful womens clothing and accessories. Terri and Ami love putting a smile on their customers faces. Terri said, “People smile at each other for no reason and I would love to think I help spread that smile around this wonderful place to live!” Since Ami and Terri both have full time jobs, they feel lucky to have a wonderful staff led by manager, Adam Handy. “I love being able to provide jobs for our community, and I love seeing people grow and learn,” Ami said. “I hope to be able to do more for this amazing city!”
Fayette County Farm Bureau Federation
1316 Versailles Rd. | fayettecofarmbureau.com
Fayette County Farm Bureau Federation is a non-profit grassroots organization that serves as the “voice of agriculture” in Fayette County. “We help to advocate for the farmers here in our county on issues pertinent to their business and livelihood. We work to educate the public about agriculture and how important it is to our economy,” explained Carrie McIntosh, Executive Director. “We provide numerous leadership and youth enrichment programs within our organization, as well.”
Kentucky Farm Bureau was formed in 1919 with the intent to improve rural schools, stabilize farm prices, study the means for reducing the cost of production and provide the most profitable system of agriculture. In 1944, Kentucky Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company was formed and has over 500,000 members across the state. “Fayette County alone has a little over 12,000 members. It is the unified voice of farmers that still make us a very effective organization,” Carrie said.
One of the organizations challenges is promoting agriculture in Fayette Countys urban setting. “A recent study conducted by Dr. Alison Davis, Ag Economist at the University of Kentucky revealed that 1 in 12 jobs is directly tied to agriculture in Fayette County, resulting in $2.3 billion dollars in annual economic activity!” She added, “I would just like for every Lexingtonian to stop and think about how agriculture might play a role in their everyday lives. Agriculture is all around us, everywhere.”
Violets
1060 Chinoe Rd. Ste. 120 | 859.281.1100 | [email protected]
Owners (and sorority sisters) Julie Carlisle and Kim Bryant love being connected with their customers. They often help accessorize outfits for customers life events and special occasions, in addition to helping them pick the perfect gift for their loved ones. “Our customers appreciate the personal service we offer,” Julie explained.
“We both wanted to open a gift store in a great, established, Lexington neighborhood,” Kim said. “We named the store Violets after our sorority flower, which were given as gifts and tokens of appreciation to our sisters.” With gifts, accessories and clothing from Spartina, Mud Pie, Tyler Candle, Corkcicle and more, its easy to pick the perfect token of appreciation from Violets!
Jack Rudy Cocktail Co.
403 Marquis Ave. | 843.814.9286 | jackrudycocktailco.com
Taylor Huber and his cousin, Brooks, saw a need for quality ingredients in a growing cocktail industry. “I brought business expertise and Brooks brought experience in the Food and Bev industry. Together we created Jack Rudy, taking long forgotten staples of the American bar and reinventing them.”
Still growing after seven years, Jack Rudy can be found in a number of local favorites, such as L.V. Harkness, Wine + Market, Keeneland Gift Shop, Wines on Vine, and Liquor Barn. With national distribution, Taylor appreciates when Kentuckians send him photos of Jack Rudy on store shelves across the country. “Lexingtonians have a rooting interest in our success, and those positive vibes push us even harder.”
Teresa Blakeman United Real Estate, Lexington
859.619.9069 | LexingtonKyHouses.com
Being a real estate agent means being flexible and proactive. Sometimes, a listing will test the agents resolve, but Teresa is proud to say that for this home, she went above and beyond to secure her clients dream home.
Her friend, Mike McBeath, called and asked to see a home on the Reservoir. “We were both in awe of that gorgeous view,” Teresa recalled. When he wasnt excited about that particular listing, he asked her to find something nearby. “I saw that there was the most gorgeous home on Lakeside Drive.”
Teresa contacted the agent representing the home, and was informed that an offer had already been made on the home. “If we were going to make an offer, we needed to make it soon,” Teresa said.
Mike made an offer and it was accepted–contingent on the sale of Mikes home within 24 hours. Teresa was able to make it happen so that Mike could have his dream home on the lake. Teresa said, “Mike says he loves living at the lake and wakes up every morning counting his blessings and thanking the good Lord for the opportunity to live in such a beautiful and inspiring setting!”
House
250 Walton Ave. | 859.523.3933 | housebyjsd.com
For Jeremy Rice, Dwayne Anderson and j. stuart hurt, a successful business is constantly evolving and changing. “We always listen to customers and pay attention to trends, but we dont rely on any one thing to drive our decisions,” said stuart. The “Boys” own a boutique store on Walton Avenue, offering a wide variety of goods, from ladies accessories, earrings, wraps, and scarves, to custom silk arrangements, lamps, artwork, and accent furniture at various price points. The store is ever changing, from the home décor pieces to the Christmas in July sale where they turn the store into a winter wonderland, full of holiday décor. They offer interior design services as well.
The Boys agree that Lexington is a great place to live and work because of the small-town atmosphere, the diverse make up of its residents, and the best countryside views the eye can see. “We wanted to bring a genre of retail that Lexington didnt have. We can incorporate any style from traditional to contemporary. Many of our customers say we have an easy look,” stuart explained. Whether a client is updating their home with pillows and accessories or taking on a full remodel project, the gentlemen at House are eager to develop a plan that helps the client fall in love with their home.
When they arent busy at the store or designing a clients home, stuart can be found instructing at Cycle YOU Lexington; Dwayne is telling the next story about life –over and over; and Jeremy is laughing, sharing and sprinkling joy.
The Wildcat Group
203 Big Run Rd. | 859.948.3553 | wildcatmoving.com
Upon graduating from UKs MBA program in 2010, Raleigh “RJ” Bruner decided to take the summer off to relax and plan for his future. “About a week after graduation, I helped my sister move,” he said. “That night, I decided that moving would be a fantastic summer job.”
RJ started Wildcat Moving with his old Ford Bronco and a motorcycle trailer. Now, he has 22 trucks and a staff of over 80 during busy season. Their excellent pay scale ($15-$25 per hour) allows them to recruit and retain respectful, responsible and athletic movers that customers can trust. “We pay our movers better than any other moving company because we know that happy movers make happy customers. As a result weve been the top-ranked Moving company in Kentucky on Angies List for 5 years running. I love being the best at what we do,” he explained. In addition to Wildcat Moving, The Wildcat Group includes Wildcat Auto Repair and Wildcat Home Inspection.
RJ says his wife has had a huge impact on his career. “My wife Sylvie has been my best friend and biggest cheerleader for over a decade. We do everything together with our two kids, Juliette and Roman,” he explained. “I am very proud that my children are going to grow up knowing that I run several successful local businesses honestly.”
Gratz Park Inn
120 West Second St. | 859.231.1777 | gratzparkinn.com
“I love what I do. Hospitality is a great job–meeting new people every day and working with a superb community,” said Gratz Park Inn manager Zedtta Wellman.
A native of Ashland Kentucky, Zedtta loves showing off our beautiful city and giving guests at The Gratz Park Inn a fantastic experience. “Were truly a hidden jewel in horse country. Were nestled in a historic area and surrounded by wonderful homes and businesses. We have served governors, Supreme Court Judges, authors, comedians, basketball stars, senators, sports broadcasters, actors, and a few HGTV designers. Our doors are always open to all guests.”
Zedtta also enjoys lending a hand in the community. When shes not working, Zedtta spends time with her family and attends Southland Christian Church. “Family is the most important part of my life. Its a blessing seeing my children become wonderful adults and to watch my grandchildren grow.”
Melinda Drake with Milestone Realty Consultants
859.312.9005 | Melinda-Drake.com
Melinda Drake, seen with her listing in Cambridge Estates, is a Realtor at locally owned Milestone Realty. Melinda is rooted in hospitality and passionate about real estate. Before getting into real estate, she worked alongside her husband, Bruce, in the restaurant industry. “As Bluegrass Hospitality Group evolved, there was an opportunity for me to assist the company and the BHG family with real estate needs,” she explained.
Since her start in real estate, Melinda has earned designations in MRP, Million Dollar Club, E-Pro and RENE. She loves working with people from all walks of life. “From a first-time buyer looking for the perfect place to start to a retired couple who is ready to relax, I love helping people in Central Kentucky find the perfect home,” said Melinda.
Theres no place like home. Melinda and her husband have travelled for both business and pleasure, yet are happiest in Lexington. “Early in our marriage, we had businesses in other cities. No matter where weve lived or where we travel, Lexington will always be home to us,” Melinda shared.
Melinda is a proud member of the Lexington community. She and her family are active in many local organizations including Southland Christian Church, University of Kentucky, Lexington Christian Academy, Bible Study Fellowship and other charitable organizations. Her involvement in the community has helped make connections with people in Kentucky and all over the world, for which she is grateful.
Peplum
824 Euclid Ave. Ste. 103 | 859.269.0009 | PeplumLexington.com
Lauren West and Diane Henson are the mother-daughter duo that co-own Peplum. Lauren and her mom worked on the concept for their boutique for almost a year before opening at the end of March 2017. They love seeing a smile on their customers face when she feels stunning in a Peplum outfit.
“We feel so lucky to have our business here! As a business owner, its so nice to see that such a large portion of our population feels passionate about shopping local,” Lauren said. “Our customers have made us feel so welcome. We can feel that the community is really rooting for us to succeed.”
Hair Nation Salon & Spa
152 W. Tiverton Way Ste. 130 | 859.252.HAIR (4247) | hairnationsalonandspa.com
Angie and Jay Ballard wanted to open a business where they could work together while building careers for a wonderful team of professionals in an industry that they love. The Hair Nation staff is also committed to offering every guest an “Ultimate Experience” by offering a full range of pampering services.
“Lexingtonians are focused on local business and promoting each other,” Angie said. “We are a special community full of people who want to support one another, and who want to give back to our city.” Angie and Jay hope to contribute to Lexington by becoming a household name in town!
Interior Solutions with Carol Pippen Interior Design
175 Dennis Dr. | 859.277.4482 | kyfloors.com | carolpippeninteriordesign.com
Interior Solutions owners Beth and Chris Poulton are UK grads who chose to stay in Lexington after graduation to pursue their careers. “We have always loved Lexington for its beauty, southern charm, and close-knit community,” Beth explained. Inspired by their parents who both owned their own businesses, Beth and Chris decided to open a full service flooring and cabinet business that serves residential as well as commercial and healthcare facilities. “We are constantly challenged with staying on the cutting edge of new products and services,” Chris explained. “Having the opportunity to own our own business here utilizing our mutual experience in the construction and design fields has been a dream come true.”
They are also excited to offer interior design services through their on-site partnership with Carol Pippen Interior Design. “When a customer comes into the showroom shopping for flooring or cabinets, we can now easily offer interior design assistance as well to help them pull together their best look,” Beth said.
Carol, a UK graduate who has been in business since 1996, loves working with the Poultons to make Lexington homes and businesses even more beautiful. She said, “We continue to build on the positive energy of our relationship and look forward to what the future holds!”
South Central Bank Lexington
386 Waller Ave. #110 | 859.223.0170 | SouthCentralBank.com
South Central Banks history dates back to 1889 when Deposit Bank of Monroe County was first chartered. James Kenneth Bale purchased the bank in 1972 and founded South Central Bank to fulfill his dream of providing truly community-centered banking services to the individuals, families and business people of the area. Over the years, South Central Bank has evolved and grown by leaps and bounds, all while maintaining that vision.
The Lexington office of South Central Bank was first a Loan Production Office. It served as a residential and commercial lending office until March 2016. It became a full-service financial institution, offering deposit services and lending opportunities for the people of Lexington. Brandon Fogle, Chief Business Development Officer for the Northern Regional Market; Kelley Wiley, Branch Manager/Assistant Customer Service Officer and Rebekah Welch, Residential and Commercial Loan Officer are all natives of Lexington. President- Lexington/Fayette County, Bill Feltner, has been lending in Central Kentucky for 40 years.
Philanthropy is a core value of South Central Bank: they are major sponsors of SKyPaC, the Center for Courageous Kids, Kentucky High School Hall of Fame and the Western Kentucky University Scholarship Program. Their employees are also involved with a number of local organizations.
South Central Bank is designed to make a difference in the prosperity of their customers and communities. They believe deeply in their company slogan: “Small enough to know you, BIG enough to help!”
South Central Bank Louisvile
6500 Glenridge Park Pl. Ste. 11 Louisville | 859.223.0170 | SouthCentralBank.com
Since its inception, South Central Bank has grown and thrived through all kinds of market conditions. When it was purchased in 1972, South Central Bank had $10 million in assets and was comprised of five individually chartered banks across South Central and Western Kentucky. On January 1, 2015, South Central Bank became a single entity with 25 locations and total transactional assets approaching $1.3 billion.
The South Central Bank of Louisville is a Loan Production Office, concentrating on and specializing in consumer and commercial lending. Patrick Padden, President – Greater Louisville, joined the company in June 2014 and his career in banking spans 25 years, much of it working in commercial and real estate lending. Amy Rausch, a Regional Mortgage Lender, has worked in banking for over 30 years. Mark George, Vice President-Senior Relationship Manager of Commercial Lending, has been in banking for over 30 years and specializes in commercial and real estate lending. They are all from Louisville and know the local communities well.
“The city is imbued with great energy and entrepreneurial spirit,” explained Patrick. “One of my greatest accomplishments has been opening the Greater Louisville Market and offering people a community banking alternative that reflects our local people.”
Bella Rose
126 West Maxwell St. | 859.255.2565 | bellarosestyle.com
“Big City Fashion meets Small Town Charm” is the best way to describe Bella Rose to the Bluegrass. Mother-daughter duo, Betty Spain and Haley Williams, are passionate about cheering up women and assisting them to look and feel their best everyday, especially for those big life events.
“Our clients are always pleased with our unique selection. We pride ourselves in dressing three generations of women. Nothing pleases us more than when a grandmother, mother, and daughter find something special when visiting our store,” said Betty.
Bringing the exclusivity of designers to Lexington, Bella Rose has a selection of dresses found nowhere else. Bella Rose carries designers such as Milly, Shoshanna, Nicole Miller, Sara Campbell, and Teri Jon. Known as the “pretty dress shop,” Bella Rose can take any woman, of any age, for any event and make her feel like the prettiest girl in the room. Over the past 37 years, the styles have changed, but the personal service and friendly atmosphere at Bella Rose has remained the same. Betty and Haley invite everyone to come in, kick off your shoes, stay awhile, and play dress up!
Metropolitan Donuts & Coffee
3070 Lakecrest Circle Ste. 600 | 859.309.9342 | metdonuts.com
Lexington is becoming well known for its donuts. Drew and Evelyn McCoy aim to offer a fun new take on this sweet treat. They whip up handcrafted donuts and serve them alongside world class coffee from some great specialty roasters. “Choose your batter, coating, topping and drizzle, then watch it be made from start to finish,” Evelyn explained. “And enjoy it with exceptional coffee or espresso!”
“We are a small family owned business and the Lexington community has been very welcoming to our create your own donut concept,” Drew said. “The best part of being a local business owner is the support that we get from the community!”
Arthur Murray Dance Studio
1801 Alexandria Dr. Ste. 132 | 859.278.7711 | LexingtonArthurMurray.com
“My family has always been supportive of all my creative endeavors, from doing magic at a young age, to dancing, teaching, competing, judging and participating in all aspects of the dance industry,” Arthur Murray Lexington owner Hunter Lisle explained.
Growing up in Lexington, it was always important to come back to Kentucky and give back to the community where it all began. Starting a business was always his dream because he hoped to teach people to enjoy the fun, joy and challenge of dance. He and his amazing staff now run one of the most successful and largest teaching organizations for Arthur Murray in the nation.
Conrhod Zonio Photography & Light Life Love
859.299.6550 | conrhodzonio.com | lightlifelovephotography.com
“We get to be an integral part of stopping time, capturing history and allowing the amazing people that we get to work with to leave a legacy of their love behind,” owner Conrhod, a graduate of Asbury and UK, explained. As a photographer, Conrhod loves to connect with people. His focus is on photographing weddings. “We tell our couples that we love love, and that were all in it with them to capture the beauty within the story of their love.”
For Conrhod, the business rose out of his passion for photography. As demand increased for his work, his wife, Leslee, took on the role of family/lifestyle photographer with Light Life Love. In addition to photographing portraits and families, she shoots along side Conrhod on wedding days. “We love it when our clients know how beautiful they are, and they are so comfortable in their own skin around us to let us fully capture who they are,” Leslee said.
While school brought Conrhod to Lexington and marriage brought Leslee, they now love calling Central Kentucky home with their two daughters. “What has kept us here is the emerging grassroots culture of restaurants, small businesses and cultural arts activities. It is a wonderful place to raise a family,” Leslee explained.
Hourglass Lash + Skin Bar
867 E. High St. Ste. 230 | 859.904.5374 | HourlgassLex.com
Beth Hourigan, owner Hourglass Lash + Skin Bar, knows from experience that other cities just cant compare to Lexington. “Leaving Lexington for a decade and coming back, I was able to truly appreciate our wonderful community. I have lived a few other places with more people, glitz and glamour and at the end of the day I would still choose Lexington over all of them!” said Beth.
Hourglass is a unique concept in town, offering a wide range of services designed to make eyelashes, eyebrows and skin glow. Services include DEX makeup application, HydraFacials, microneedling, waxing, microblading and more. “All three of my employees do amazing skincare, and each has an area that she has a particular passion for,” explained Beth. Whitney is the teams eyelash pro; Sarah is the resident skincare guru; Jamie is the makeup and waxing queen. “We feel blessed beyond measure to have an amazing team, and hope to continue to grow and keep getting better for our neighbors here in Lexington,” said Beth.
Beth opened Hourglass in July, but her family will always be her first priority. “Balancing family and business is something I have been doing for some time now, and I take it all in stride. Being pregnant with baby number three while opening Hourglass has helped me to slow down a bit and enjoy each and every milestone we reach. I am bursting with pride for our business, our children and the life my husband and I have made in Lexington,” said Beth.
James Monroe Homes
2250 Thunderstick Dr #1206 | 859.629.2962 | JamesMonroeHomes.com
James Monroe and his dedicated team make building a dream home easy. Crystal Towe, Cassie Beach, Jen Hawkins and Natalee Mason of RE/MAX Elite Realty help customers find the perfect location in neighborhoods all over Central.
James Monroe graduated from UK with a degree in Business Economics and Business Management. He was quickly hired by a local home builder, where he absorbed an abundant amount of information about the construction business. “Most of all, I learned what not to do,” he said.
After gaining valuable experience, James and his wife started their own company, Via Vitae Development, LLC. “We promised never to promise more than we can deliver, always do what is right and just, never turn our backs to our customers, suppliers, vendors, or subcontractors, and always stand behind the product we build,” said Monroe.
Recently, James Monroe Homes opened a design center off of Winchester Road in Hamburg. Monroe explained, “We have created a process so seamless that we think it will change the way people look at building their next home.” The design center offers a world of possibilities from countertops to tile, fixtures and natural stone: their team of professionals can explain the options so that every choice is the right one. A James Monroe Home Specialist is there 7 days a week.
Haley Michelle Designs
haleymichelledesigns.com | [email protected]
Haley started her custom stationery design business a little over two and a half years ago. “Being a graphic designer, I have that strong passion for design and all that goes into creating something unique and beautiful,” Haley explained. “HMD has grown into something I can truly call my own. Meeting and working with beautiful brides from all over the US is what makes this journey so special.”
In addition to completely customized wedding/special event invitations, save the dates, place cards, menus and more, Haley also offers hand calligraphy services for envelopes, custom signs and more. She was named a TOP Paper Goods Vendor by Southern Weddings in the 2017 Best of the South Awards. photo by Amy Wallen
Peoples Exchange Bank
859.269.0235 | pebank.com
Matthew White specializes in commercial real estate transactions. Hes been in the banking industry for 20 years, eight of which have been at Peoples Exchange Bank. In that short time, Matthew and his team have grown from 8 million in loans to almost 100 million. “My employees have been an incredible asset and have contributed immensely to this effort. It makes coming to work fun and exciting,” he said.
Peoples Exchange Bank has been a community-oriented financial institution since they opened in 1912, and provide a broad variety of financial services. “We make a point of supporting the communities we serve,” White said. “Without the community, there is no Peoples Exchange Bank.”
Norwalk Furniture Design
2200 War Admiral Way | 859.263.0322 | norwalklexington.com
Norwalk Furniture & Design specializes in full design services. From room layouts and furniture placement to completed looks, their talented team is dedicated to turning dream homes into reality. With carefully chosen furniture, accent pieces, wallpaper, draperies and more, Norwalk is able to suit virtually any aesthetic or need.
In addition to their design services, Norwalk also offers a variety of home décor products to make any room beautiful and unique. They offer custom upholstery of all price ranges, accent pillows, bedding and window treatments. Their upholstery is 100% made in America! They also offer antique rugs, lights, mirrors, gifts, furniture, as well as outdoor furniture and accessories.
Owners Kellie Clarke and Tawana Palmer have been best friends since high school. As co-owners of Norwalk Furniture & Design, the two have enjoyed building relationships with customers and members of the community over the years. Since joining the Norwalk family, designers Justin and Phillip have greatly expanded the range of services the store offers. No matter the project, large or small, Norwalk Furniture & Design can help make it special. With full design services and a bevy of stunning pieces in store, Norwalk can help make any home a dream home.
Kentucky Dermatology and Cosmetic Specialists
177 Burt Rd. | 859.276.1511 | kentuckydermatology.com
Kentucky Dermatology was started 44 years ago as a dermatology practice with emphasis on cancer surgery and cosmetic procedures. Over those years, it has grown from 1 to 7 providers and has expanded greatly both its dermatological services and its cosmetic services.
Dr. Clifton Smith, a native Kentuckian, began his solo practice in 1973. “From the very first I wanted to provide first class services to my patients without being part of a group or clinic that might interfere with the exceptional services that I wanted to provide to my patients,” Dr. Smith explained.
“The best part about being a business owner is that Ive been able to clearly see direct results of my efforts regarding the patient care that Dr. Roth and I strive to provide,” Dr. Smith said. “The biggest and best reward that I have is being able to take care of the same patients over a long period of time and connect with these patients like theyre family.”
Dr. John G. Roth grew up in Louisville. After finishing a stint with the U.S. Navy Reserves, he decided to move to Lexington and joined Kentucky Dermatology in 1992. He enjoys going into his practice every day and seeing patients with a variety or ages and personalities.
Hops2go
211 Rosemont Garden | 859.888.BEER (2337) | hops2go.com
As the first beer, wine and liquor delivery service in the state, Hops2go is excited to add something new to the community. “We hope to improve the city of Lexington and contribute to less drunk drivers on the roads and provide a unique, helpful service to the area,” explained President Thomas Towles. “We want the people of Lexington to feel a sense of pride when talking about or using Hops2go. Our dream is to be a symbol of how awesome Lexington is.”
Thomas decided to start Hops2go when he came to a point in his life where he saw a lot of doors closing, despite his hard work and drive. So he decided to take a dream and make it a reality for his community and family. “It was important to me to not only allow my family to live a full life, but that my daughter will see that she can accomplish anything with dedication and hard work,” he explained.
“Ive heard that people compare Lexington to San Francisco a lot because it is very local-centric. That is something I think the city should be very proud of. Its a city of opportunity. I know a few people who have opened their own businesses or have serious plans to,” Thomas said. “There is something to say for a city that provides so much opportunity for its citizens.”