Small Town Creations celebrates remodel project with ribbon cutting and Grand Re-opening

[January 11, 2023]   On Friday morning, Small Town Creations Kathie and Jim Williams in Lincoln hosted a grand-re-opening and ribbon cutting ceremony, celebrating the completion of a remodel of the back two thirds of the retail business in Lincoln.

Kathie Williams, surrounded by family members and members of the community snipped the ribbon on the new back room with assistance from Little Miss Logan County Sofia Farmer.  Also on hand for the cut was Junior Miss Logan County Alayna Briggs. 

Others in attendance included Logan County Clerk Theresa Moore, Treasurer Penny Thomas and Circuit Clerk Kelly Elias.  Representing the city of Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch and Alderwoman Wanda Lee Rohlfs were present.  Logan County Tourism Director Alice Roate was assisted in holding the ribbon for the cut by Annie Coers of the First National Bank of Tremont.  Others who were on hand for the event included Seth and Gaynor Goodman and Kristi Powell.

When the Williams’ opened the store a few years ago, they combined three businesses into one building, taking over what had been Beans and Such that had already been there, adding The Award Shop the Williams’ had purchased, and incorporating the paint class business that Kathie had started years earlier holding classes in her home then moving to a location on Sangamon Street.

The building was divided into three distinctive areas to accommodate the three businesses.  Williams said recently that she had known all along that eventually the paint classes would go to the wayside.  She had plans to expand her retail offerings to include many personalized items and home décor that she made specifically for sale in her store. 

 

In the last several months, the Williams decided that it was time to open up the back two-thirds of the store and make it one space.  The most notable change that guests saw on Friday was the removal of the wall and French doors that separated the trophy workshop from the former paint class room.  The building is now open, light and airy with light colored walls and plenty of merchandise for shoppers to peruse.

Williams had said that the trophy portion is a big part of the business, and one goal had been to bring that more out into the open so that shoppers were more aware of that aspect of the business. 

The new layout does just that, bringing all the engraved and personalized items into the spotlight for shoppers. 
 

The ribbon cut was led by Karen Hargis of Lincoln Daily News.  She began the event by thanking and acknowledging all those who had come to help celebrate this new chapter in the life of Small Town Creations. 

She said that the event represented the journey of Jim and Kathie Williams and celebrated the achievements they have enjoyed as downtown business owners.  She thanked them for their investment in the community and for their passion and generosity toward their hometown.  She concluded “We are blessed to have people like you in our community and we couldn't be happier to celebrate with you today.” 

Mayor Welch also spoke saying that he was happy to see the Williams’ invest more into their business in Lincoln.  He added that he was thankful for the positive spirit and the energy that Jim and Kathie Williams display in their business.  He said this was exactly the kind of attitude that is needed in the heart of downtown Lincoln.

After cutting the ribbon, the Williams’ encouraged everyone to shop around the store while enjoying some light refreshments.

The store continued to host an open house throughout the day.

[Nila Smith/Karen Hargis]