[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 131 (Thursday, August 4, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S4037]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING LARRY'S MINI MART

 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 
Larry's Mini Mart of Whitley City, KY, as the Senate Small Business of 
the Week.
  When Larry Sumner founded Larry's Somerset Oil in 1973, he had no 
idea it would grow into the family business that it is today. Larry got 
his start in business when he opened his service station in Whitley 
City. It was there in McCreary County that Larry's children watched 
their father run a business that bolstered their home-town community. 
As the Sumner children grew older, they learned firstshand what it 
meant to devote one's energy to their customers, so it was only natural 
that they inherited their father's entrepreneurial nature. Thus, Larry 
Sumner's business continues operating today in the exact location he 
moved to in 1976, with the Sumner children at the helm of operations.
  Today Larry's Mini Mart, as it is now called, is Whitley City's one 
stop shop for full-service gas, kerosene, and diesel. Unlike the days 
of old, most people nowadays pump their own gas and rarely interact 
with the folks working at their local gas stations. That is not the 
case for Larry's Mini Mart, as they carry on the tradition of pumping 
gas for their customers, always doing it with a smile. Larry's is also 
the local stop where folks can drop in to pick up cold drinks, snacks, 
ice, and anything else they might need whether in a hurry or just for 
an afternoon excursion. Larry's Mini Mart even goes beyond what a 
typical service station offers by renting out their extra storage space 
to their loyal customers .
  When the late Larry Sumner first opened his business back in the 
1970's, he wanted to create a place that was more than the average 
filling station. He understood that offering quality service and a wide 
variety of conveniences would make his store a success, but his dream 
went beyond those of profits. Larry Sumner's goal was to create a place 
that would foster community within the town of Whitley City.
  When Larry Sumner's son Mark and daughter Marlo took over the 
business in 1998 following their father's death, they stayed true to 
his mission. Today, as it has always been, Larry's Mini Mart is a place 
where locals can come to catch up on the latest news in the county, 
whether that news travels through the local paper cir word-of-mouth. As 
is often the case with small towns, sometimes it takes a trip down to 
Larry's just to hear about the goings-on about town, and the late Larry 
Sumner would not have it any other way.
  Larry's has often been recognized for the quality service they 
provide to their community. Most recently in 2020, Larry's Mini Mart 
received McCreary County Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month. 
They have also won McCreary County Business of the Year numerous times 
due to the charitable spirit of the owners and staff. Throughout their 
years of operation, Larry's Mini Mart has supported local school 
systems and all their various sporting activities. Larry's has become a 
well-known for hosting car wash fundraisers for various causes within 
their community. Larry's Mini Mart has also contributed to the Banquet 
of Blessings, a McCreary County tradition that provides a free 
Christmas meal to anyone in need. Larry's has also contributed to the 
local chapter of Relay for Life, a cancer awareness nonprofit. 
Moreover, the public library, the local chapter of Veterans of Foreign 
Wars, the American Legion, the McCreary County Chamber of Commerce, 
right down to the McCreary County Little League baseball team, have all 
seen support from the fine folks at Larry's Mini Mart.
  Larry's Mini Mart is known not only for their quality service and 
charitable spirit, but they also maintain their reputation for being a 
fantastic place to work. Currently, Mark Sumner and his wife Stephanie 
operate Larry's with the help of their daughter Taylor and their son 
Tyler. This family affair fosters a friendly environment, so much so 
that two of Larry's Mini Mart employees have worked for the business 
for over 40 years. That type of longevity clearly shows that Larry's is 
not your average service station. Larry's Mini Mart is a community 
institution that goes above and beyond to support their friends and 
neighbors, whether it be during or outside of their regular business 
hours. Congratulations to the Sumner family and entire team at Larry's 
Mini Mart. I look forward to seeing your continued growth and success 
in Kentucky.

                          ____________________