Business continues to grow in Hart County
Mary Beth Sallee
Reporter, Hart Co. News-Herald
As April comes to an end, Hart County certainly has a lot to celebrate on the business side of things.
This past month, ribbon cuttings were held for the grand openings of new businesses as well as an already well-established business.
Tony and Bethany Cash, center, are the owners of The Hanger Boutique in Horse Cave. Joining them for their grand opening ribbon cutting were Terri Cash, left, and Sara Thurman, right. Photo submitted.
The Hanger Boutique
When Bethany and Tony Cash of Glasgow wanted to open a storefront for their boutique business, they knew Horse Cave was the place to do just that.
“We specifically wanted to be different from anyone else in the area, which is why we put so much work into the designing and building of the store,” Bethany said. “We put the same effort into sourcing where our clothing comes from. We strive to have the best quality items at affordable prices through extensive research and the relationships we have built with our suppliers over the years, all while promoting sustainability.”
The Hanger Boutique offers everyday wear, boutique, and designer branded clothing of women’s clothing at affordable prices. All of the clothing is new with 50% to 70% off retail pricing and is offered in sizes XS up to 4X.
But beyond the amazing prices and sizing variety, both Bethany and her sister Sara Thurman, who brought The Hanger Boutique to life, wanted to ensure to provide confidence to all women.
“The Hanger Boutique began with two sisters both battling through the grief of lost pregnancies,” Bethany explained. “We have found comfort in offering affordable clothing that gives women confidence. We hope that no matter what life is throwing your way, you can stop by for a hello, an elbow bump, or that much-needed retail therapy.”
“As The Hanger Boutique grows, we are also growing our family through adoption,” Bethany added. “We thank everyone for giving us the opportunity to celebrate life together.”
The Hanger Boutique is located at 107 Water Street in Horse Cave and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. The boutique is also open from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. on the first Friday of each month in celebration of “Horse Cave to the Nines”.
To see photos of what The Hanger Boutique has to offer, visit the business’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Thehangerboutique.Ky/.
Hope Hawkins, center, is the owner of businesses Asha Yoga and Hawkins Ridge Botanicals in Munfordville. With Hope are her husband Nick Lawhon and their son, Brenin, and Hope’s sister, Faith Crump. Photo submitted
Asha Yoga and Hawkins Ridge Botanicals
Hope Hawkins spent several years working office jobs at both the local and state government levels.
However, after a little soul searching, Hope realized that the career path she was traveling down simply wasn’t for her.
“I was unhealthy and unhappy, so I started thinking of ways to make a positive change in my career path,” Hope said. “I started working part-time at a nursery in Frankfort, and it helped me remember the peace I felt working outdoors and getting my hands dirty. Having acquired employment that allowed me to return to my hometown, I started this slow progression toward doing what I love, for myself.”
As a result, Hope established not one but two one-of-a-kind businesses in Munfordville: Asha Yoga and Hawkins Ridge Botanicals (HRB). Both businesses came from turning Hope’s full attention to the things she loves the most and wants to share with everyone.
“I started practicing yoga at home and at the Preston Center at WKU (Western Kentucky University) in 2012 to aid in stress relief from graduate school,” Hope said. “I began practicing at a studio in Versailles in 2018. By the end of that year, I was enrolled in the RYT200 training program. I hoped this would be a step in propelling me out of the cubicle life. Because I love learning so much, I completed my RYT500 this January in a program dedicated to accessible and sustainable yoga.”
“I have loved gardening and houseplants for years,” Hope added about why she chose to open a botanical business. “Specialty herbs and orchids have been a hobby (of mine) for over 10 years. When I lived in Florida, I was able to plant and grow many things year round and that opened up a whole new world for my hobby.”
Not only is Hope providing access to the only yoga studio in the county, but as a Hart County native she is also striving to bring accessible and sustainable yoga practice to the entire community.
“My training is grounded in creating yoga classes that nearly anyone can participate in,” Hope said. “In a few classes, we even integrate the use of a chair during a non-chair class for comfort in mobility.”
“As far as HRB, I want to create a specialty shop that carries unique gifts and plants,” Hope continued. “I will not carry the things you see in big box stores or large nurseries. Most of my herbs are started from seed in my back bedroom and grown in my 10×20 greenhouse. We carry orchids that are not those you find at the grocery store, but types collectors enjoy. I create all the live arrangements offered. The artists carried in the store are local, and the handmade products carried are Kentucky made by people I’ve met on stops along the journey back to my home.”
Hope plans to offer a prenatal/postnatal yoga class on Wednesdays, likely starting in late-May and offered by her friend Pamela Cox, RYT500 of Yoga Care. She plans to also offer special outdoor events in many places this late spring and summer.
Hope is also providing others the opportunity to display their local-made products at HRB.
“I’m currently looking for more products made locally to put inside the store,” Hope said. “I have a small space but would love to see what else we could fit inside. I really want to create a space that showcases all the amazing talent Hart Countians offer. Contact me if you are interested.”
Asha Yoga and Hawkins Ridge Botanicals are located at 306A Main Street in Munfordville. HRB store hours are Monday and Tuesday from 12 noon until 4 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Additional information can be found online at www.ashayogashanti.com or find both businesses on Facebook and Instagram under their business names.
Ricky and Sarah Alvey, center, are the owners of Alvey’s Towing and Recovery. They were joined by family and friends at their ribbon cutting celebration. Photo submitted.
Alvey’s Towing and Recovery
In 1984, Ricky Alvey established Alvey’s Towing & Recovery with only one truck. Now, 37 years later, the company has added a new location with ever-expanding services and equipment.
Ricky spearheads the towing and recovery service alongside his wife and co-owner, Sarah Alvey. The couple takes pride in what their company offers Hart County and surrounding areas.
Their wide range of service trucks allows the business to handle a variety of towing, from semi-trucks to RVs, cars, trucks, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, ATVs, tractors, and more. Their 70-ton rotator truck is described as second-to-none and the only one in the area.
Alvey’s Towing & Recovery offers heavy and medium duty towing, local and long distance hauling, truck towing flat bed and landoll hauling, relocation service, roadside assistance, daily semi-truck and trailer repairs, passenger car and truck repairs, interstate accident cleanup, lockouts, jumpstarts, and fuel delivery.
Their full-service shop also offers a Michelin National Tire account, along with Bridgestone, Goodyear, Yokohama, Firestone, Continental, and BFGoodrich.
In addition to the many services offered, Alvey’s Towing & Recovery also employs individuals who are professional, friendly, and offer top-notch customer service.
“We all enjoy helping people,” said employee Andy Sturgeon. “We’re dedicated to the service of the customer.”
Whatever the need may be, Ricky, Sarah, and the entire staff at Alvey’s Towing & Recovery work hard to provide the best service at the best price possible.
Alvey’s Towing & Recovery is located at 453 Flint Ridge Road in Horse Cave, with a second location at 610 North Dixie Hwy. in Cave City. The business offers 24-hour service and can be reached at 270-528-7881 or 270-670-2627. For more information, visit their website at www.alveystowing.com.
Mafaz Ansar, center, cuts the ribbon during the grand opening celebration at the Shell in Horse Cave. Photo submitted.
Shell of Horse Cave
When it comes to owning a business, Mafaz Ansar knows a thing or two about that.
Mafaz is the owner of a Marathon in Glasgow, as well as the Holiday Inn Express in Horse Cave.
After being told of how convenient it would be to have a gas station located directly across from the Holiday Inn, Mafaz had encouraged others to take the chance. When they declined, Mafaz seized the opportunity himself and opened a Shell station.
Located just off of I-65 at exit 58, the Shell of Horse Cave not only offers the convenience of gas pumps but also a variety of food, including Champs Chicken and Wingman Pizza. Additional food will be added to the menu in the future.
A beverage bar consisting of Coca-Cola products, Monster energy drinks, and coffee is available to customers as well. Beautiful artwork also adorns the store, paying homage to the City of Horse Cave and nearby tourist attractions.
Mafaz said that business at the Shell has been great, with the store doing more than projected within the past three months.
Mafaz also expressed his gratitude for all of his employees. He spoke about Brandy West, Ashley Vincent, and Haley Silvers, employees who were recognized as hometown heroes after helping a woman who had been abducted from Louisville and found herself at the Shell station in Horse Cave.
“I’m proud of them,” Mafaz said. “They did a great thing. I’m very proud of them.”
The Shell of Horse Cave is located at 515 Flint Ridge Road, across from Holiday Inn Express. The store can be reached at 270-786-5636.
The Hart County News-Herald would like to wish great success to each of these businesses. We look forward to covering more ribbon cuttings as our community continues to grow.
