[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 57 (Thursday, March 31, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S1902]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING KELSEY'S ON MAIN

 Mr. PAUL. Mr. President, as ranking member of the Senate 
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize 
an outstanding Kentucky small business that exemplifies the American 
entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize the 
small business, Kelsey's On Main of Jackson, KY, as the Senate Small 
Business of the Week.
  Like a good Southerner, Kelsey Sebastian is passionate about 
hospitality. After leaving her native Jackson, she pursued a degree in 
hospitality management and tourism from University of Kentucky. 
However, instead of taking her university expertise to the 
opportunities of the big city, Kelsey returned home to put her 
knowledge and skills to work. Thus in 2014, with the help of her 
family, Kelsey Sebastian opened Kelsey's On Main.
  The idea for Kelsey's On Main was born out of several needs for the 
little town of Jackson. With only a small number of sit-in dining 
establishments in Jackson, local residents needed more restaurant 
options. Moreover, there was a need for revitalization in the heart of 
downtown Jackson, a heady mission that Kelsey and her family bravely 
took on. The Hogg building, now home to Kelsey's On Main, was 98 years 
old when she and her family began the renovation process in 2012. A 
former pharmacy and pool hall, this historic building located in the 
center of downtown needed a healthy dose of tender love and care. 
Renovating the establishment was by no means an easy task but the town 
of Jackson and its residents will tell you that it was worth it. In 
2014, the centennial anniversary of the Hogg building, Kelsey's On Main 
opened their doors.
  Kelsey's desire to restore beauty to the dilapidated old Hogg 
building corresponded with her mission to provide great food and top 
quality service to her hometown. In keeping the original tin roof and 
leaving one of the old walls exposed in its brick, customers can see 
that this building is mature in age but well taken care of. To that 
end, Kelsey and her family keep old photos of downtown Jackson as well 
as photos of her friends and family throughout the historic building. 
Of course, her family is not just present in the photographs that hang 
on the wall; her parents often come by to pick up a shift or two to 
support their daughter. And as a tenant in her aunt's building, 
Kelsey's On Main is a true family affair.
  Returning to Jackson to open her own business is not the only way 
Kelsey supports her community. She is an active member of the Jackson 
Women's Group and as a Jackson City Council member, Kelsey always 
volunteers her restaurant to host the monthly Jackson Chamber of 
Commerce lunch. Kelsey is also involved in the Breathitt County Honey 
Festival, a tradition that has been around for over four decades, by 
supporting the festival's musical committee. As someone so involved in 
the goings-on of her town, Kelsey does her best to bring life to the 
Jackson community, as illustrated by she and her family's decision to 
revitalize a historic downtown building. Moreover, as a recent 
participant in Kentucky's BRIGHT program, a professional and 
entrepreneurial development program, it is clear that Kelsey is 
headstrong in her desire to keep improving and impacting the community 
around her.
  All across the country are little towns like Jackson whose downtowns 
have been left empty by a shift in industry, and it is businesses like 
Kelsey's On Main that bring life back into those empty storefronts and 
keep historic communities thriving.
  Congratulations to Kelsey and her family and the entire team at 
Kelsey's On Main. I wish them the best of luck and look forward to 
watching their continued growth and success in Kentucky.

                          ____________________