[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 95 (Thursday, June 1, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S1895]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING THE ONLY STORE

 Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, Idaho small businesses are the 
backbone of our economy and our communities. These small businesses not 
only employ friends and neighbors, but they showcase Idaho's creativity 
and values. Idaho small businesses provide invaluable goods and 
services and are an important part of the Gem State. These small 
businesses deserve to be celebrated for the integral role they play in 
our communities. I am proud to relaunch Support Local Gems, a statewide 
initiative, on June 9, to encourage Idahoans to support the small 
businesses that make the Gem State special. As a member and former 
chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and 
Entrepreneurship, I am pleased to honor The Only Store located in 
Nezperce as one of Idaho's Small Businesses of the Month for June 2023.
  Sandi Herker Berry began her grocery store career in 1985, when The 
Only Store was known as the Nezperce Cash & Carry. A decade later, in 
1996, Sandi bought the store from owner Jim Schmidt and recently 
renamed it The Only Store. Sandi loves the grocery business, including 
the long hours, restocking shelves, the cleaning, the problem-solving, 
the creativity, and, most notably, freight day.
  Sandi credits her six employees and the Nezperce community for her 
success. To that end, she is committed to supporting her small town 
through the Nezperce School District, the Lewis County Fair, donating a 
portion of her earnings to emergency medical services, purchasing 
school clothes for underprivileged children, and delivering groceries 
to elderly members of the community.
  Congratulations to Sandi Herker Berry and all of the employees at The 
Only Store for being selected as an Idaho Small Business of the Month 
for June 2023. You are an outstanding example of what it means to be 
one of Idaho's Local Gems. You make our great State proud, and I look 
forward to your continued growth and success.

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