News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The growth in Baxter took center stage Thursday as five new businesses celebrated their ribbon cuttings Thursday.
Freedom House Coffee Shop, Veterans Barber Shop, Baxter Coin Laundry, Ascend Pediatrics, and Tee Up Golf are recognized by city officials. Freedom House Co-Owner Tamar Doughty said they chose Baxter because it was thriving.
“When we first came out here we thought Cookeville was the place,” Doughty said. “But we saw there was so many coffee shops, and Baxter is just a really small little thriving town and see that it’s growing but we thought it needs a coffee shop. And so we chose here because we live close but also because we saw that we really enjoyed this little area and the people.”
Baxter Mayor John Martin attended all five ribbon cuttings. Martin said the growth of Baxter has been years in the making. He said he was very thankful for all the businesses.
“With our growth and everything it’s unbelievable you know what’s really went on in the past eight years,” Martin said. “Of course, you know that but we are so happy that this is the fifth ribbon cutting we’ve had this morning, and I wanna thank you from the bottom of my heart for choosing Baxter to do this.”
The businesses are part of the Baxter Downtown revitalization program. Tee Up owner Lynn McHenry said that small towns often bring in the wrong kind of businesses, but in Baxter that is not the case.
“You are seeing the kinds you do want and this is not necessarily a lot of people exactly in Baxter can play but some of them sure can, but you’re going to pull in other people and they are going to be able to see, ‘oh man this is a really nice little town,'” McHenry said.
Ascend Pediatrics will serve patients at 104 Fourth Avenue. Provider Kassie Barnes said she is glad to be a part of Baxter’s growth.
“It’s a super exciting community,” Barnes said. “I think it’s just a wonderful place to be, people seem to enjoy living here and we are happy to be a part of it.”
Veterans Barber Shop moved from Cookeville, adjacent to the Fairgrounds to Baxter. Owner Jonathan A.D. Williams said he jumped on the opportunity to move his business to Baxter.
“I had the opportunity to purchase property out here instead of paying rent for the rest of my life and I think its been a great location,” Williams said. “Things are really happening out here.”
Mayor Martin said there is interest in future businesses and restaurants coming to Baxter.
“It’s just exciting that everyone is really interested,” Martin said. “And phone calls every day wanting to come to Baxter, ‘is there anything available?'”
