[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 99 (Thursday, June 9, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S2890]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING THE FOXHOLE

 Mr. PAUL. Madam 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 
Foxhole of Smiths Grove, KY, as the Senate Small Business of the Week.
  Take a look at any small town American Main Street, and you will 
likely see a common trend: small businesses are a bastion of 
creativity. All around the country, entrepreneurs break out into new 
ventures based on an idea that is uniquely theirs, and they work hard 
to support the enterprise that is their dream. Such is the story of 
Kellie B. Long and her store, The Foxhole. Founded in 2017, Kellie set 
out to open a store that offered a wide variety of items, from clothes 
and jewelry, to furnishings and tableware. In the years since her 
opening, the store has grown in its product variety, staff capacity, 
and customer reach. Though The Foxhole is well-loved by the residents 
of Smiths Grove, customers travel from all across Kentucky to peruse 
items that could only be found at this unique shop.
  When customers walk in the door, they are surrounded by Kellie's 
unique vision for what defines beauty and creativity. This entrepreneur 
does not rely on products that are freshly made or unused; she curates 
a wide array of distinctive items that cannot be found in the typical 
clothes or home goods store. Moreover, Kellie appreciates the quality 
of a product that has been loved by a previous owner, and she takes 
pride in her keen eye for identifying items that deserve to be loved 
again. Her store offers products that are notably vintage, along with 
lightly used items, as well as the occasional new and custom-made 
products. Despite the fact that her store is filled with products that 
are hard to find and potentially irreplaceable, Kellie is not shy or 
finicky about welcoming all clientele, even making the store dog 
friendly for those who cannot part with their pups. Furthermore, Kellie 
participates in ``Second-Saturdays,'' which is a communal outdoor 
shopping experience for the residents of Smiths Grove. Second-Saturdays 
bring out food trucks, vendors, and entertainment for locals to shop, 
eat, and enjoy with their neighbors and friends.
  Her participation in Second-Saturdays is not the only way Kellie 
stays involved in the community. Outside of her regular commercial 
activities, The Foxhole offers the occasional Bible study for residents 
of Smiths Grove to gather and share in their religion and faith. And 
though her Bible study is not a routine part of The Foxhole's 
activities, Kellie makes sure to incorporate her giving spirit into the 
running of her business. Every year as Americans observe Memorial Day, 
Kellie opens up her business to a greater cause, by donating 10 percent 
of her Memorial Day weekend sales to the Wounded Warriors project. 
Kellie understands that we all have a veteran in our life, and she does 
her part in giving back to the community that gave their all.
  In addition to their annual sales donations to charity, Kellie is 
sensitive to whatever needs may arise from her Kentucky neighbors. 
After devastating tornados struck western Kentucky in late 2021, Kelly 
donated 21 percent of all of The Foxholes' sales recorded in the last 2 
weeks of December to the Bowling Green Tornado relief fund. Kellie 
ensures that The Foxhole is a place where customers can find beautiful 
and unique items, while promoting community involvement and goodwill to 
all who dawn her storefront.
  I want to congratulate this upstanding entrepreneur for her 
dedication to her community and for her drive to bring creativity and 
beauty to her corner of Kentucky. Congratulations to Kellie Long and 
the entire team at The Foxhole. I look forward to seeing their 
continued growth and success in Kentucky.

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