Hometown Pride: Henrietta businesses share the importance of shopping local

WICHITA FALLS, Texas (KAUZ) – We are continuing our Hometown Pride tour in Henrietta leading up to this year’s 93rd Annual Clay County Pioneer Reunion.

Today we are taking a look at how local businesses play a part in boosting the economy.

The business owners we spoke with say they take pride in taking care of the community that supports their livelihoods.

Aside from taking pride in the reunion rodeo the community of Henrietta takes a lot of pride in the products they offer.

Wade Bryant, who owns Kerr Feed, shared that shopping locally ensures dollars stay in the city instead of faceless corporations.

“I think its definitely critical for these small businesses to understand that we have a roll in the community to turn back around and pour back into those entities to help support the kids to help support other organizations in the area. It just creates a good balance in the community,” Bryant said.

Many businesses in Henrietta, including Kerr feed, have been contributing to the economy for generations. Kerr Feed has been in business for four generations.

“We try to make products that are good, and we try to make fair products, and prices that are fair for the local producer to help those guys be successful from an economic standpoint. We need them to be here next year to support us,” Bryant said.

Henrietta Pharmacy technicians Tina Smith and Amanda Hancock said community members who work at these local businesses said customers have become like family.

“I’ve worked here for 50 years, so they’ve been my school teachers, they’ve been the people that I’ve graduated with. Now, I’m seeing the kids that my son has graduated with come through the doors too. They’re family, they’re friends.” Henrietta Pharmacy Technician Tina Smith said.

” And we strive to put the customers first, to put our town first. It’s not about us at the end of the day, it’s about the people that walk through the doors,” Amanda Handcock said.

Bryant added that working in a small business in Henrietta is about ensuring a connection with every purchase.

“From the great loyal employees, working employees, to the customers that have been with us over several decades getting to work with all of those people. Help provide solutions for them, and just the fact that every day is a new day in terms of owning a business you never know what’s going to be around the corner you just have to be flexible and willing to shift and change place when needed.” Bryant shared.

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