[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 191 (Thursday, December 8, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S7067]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

               RECOGNIZING NAPIER BROTHERS CLOTHING STORE

 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 
Napier Brothers Clothing of Lancaster, KY, as the Senate Small Business 
of the Week.
  Mr. Lonnie Napier is a lifelong resident of Garrard County, KY, and 
he remembers when the county did not look quite like it does today. Mr. 
Napier grew up in a rural part of Garrard County, and as a boy, he did 
not know the comforts of running water, telephones, electricity, and 
in-door plumbing. However, as Mr. Napier grew older, he continued to 
leave his mark on the community. In 1966, at the age of 26 years old, 
Mr. Napier was elected to the Garrard County Fiscal Court, the youngest 
man to ever be elected to such group. From that day forward, Mr. Napier 
would continue his involvement with local government, even as he began 
his career in the clothing business.
  Lonnie Napier opened Napier Brothers Clothing back in 1990, and he 
has been working at the same location in Lancaster square ever since, 
making it the oldest small business on the town square. As one might 
gather from the store's name, Lonnie's business is a family business, 
having named the store after his two sons, both of which worked in the 
store during their youth. Today, the store sells all sorts of clothing, 
ranging from casual wear to clothes suited for working outside, and 
shoes, ranging from men's and ladies' footwear to work boots suitable 
for outdoor conditions. According to Lonnie Napier, the most popular 
item that his store sells is blue jeans, which is no wonder considering 
the wide selection of blue jeans Mr. Napier keeps stocked in his 
collection of shelves along the store's wall. Mr. Napier ensures that 
all products in his store are top quality and that the customer service 
of Napier Brothers Clothing far exceeds that of his corporate 
competitors.
  Given Garrard County's location within central Kentucky, agriculture 
enjoys a large influence on their surrounding communities. Large 
businesses such as Tractor Supply directly compete with Mr. Napier's 
customer base, but corporations simply cannot match the sense of 
familiarity and geniality that a customer feels when walking into 
Napier Brothers Clothing. Mr. Napier has a knack for taking care of his 
customers, always answering their questions and hearing whatever 
concerns they may have. His amiability as a business owner is one of 
the many traits that led him to find success in local governance. A 
highlight of Mr. Napier's political career occurred back in 1984 when 
he was running for a seat in the Kentucky House of Representatives. 
Initially thinking it was a prank, Mr. Napier finally paid a phone call 
to a telephone number his friends kept insisting he dial. That phone 
call led to Lonnie Napier receiving an in-person campaign endorsement 
from then President Ronald Reagan. In addition to having met former 
President Reagan, Mr. Napier also had the pleasure of meeting former 
Presidents George Bush, Sr., and Bill Clinton.
  Though he occasionally rubbed shoulders with politicians in the big 
leagues, Mr. Napier never lost sight of his mission to run the best 
small business in Lancaster. From a country-born boy who grew up having 
to walk 5 miles to school each day, to a successful Main Street 
entrepreneur who has consistently looked out for the citizens of 
Lancaster, Mr. Napier has enjoyed a long and fruitful career in his 
corner of Kentucky. Congratulations to Lonnie Napier and to the whole 
team at Napier Brothers Clothing. I look forward to seeing their 
continued growth and success in Kentucky.

                          ____________________