KSHB 41 reporter Claire Bradshaw covers eastern Jackson County, including Blue Springs and Independence. Share your story idea with Claire.
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Two new women-owned businesses have opened on Grain Valley's Main Street this summer, helping to fill a previously vacant strip and bringing more local options to residents.
The Local Table and Bar, owned by Amy Bates and Stephanie Tarantola, has seen steady business since opening in June, with lunch rushes becoming the norm.
"They're coming together, they're sitting at a table, they're talking, they're communicating," Bates said. "... I think we both had this dream for a long time, but then when we came together and saw what we could do together as a team, and then the people that are in Grain Valley are great regulars."
Tarantola said the support they've received continues to fuel their work.
The pair chose Main Street because Grain Valley is home, and they've noticed the city's efforts to revitalize the downtown area.
"I think downtown is really trying to grow," Bates said. "The mayor of the town and the committee of downtown is really trying to bring that small-town feel but still with growth, like still opportunities."
Just down the road, Main Street Sweets opened a couple of weeks ago, offering ice cream and sweet treats to the community. Co-owners Samantha Lockwood and Loren Tyler also chose the location because of their connection to the area.
"We both live here in town. We've raised our kids here in town, and it just seemed perfect when it came up," Lockwood said.
The ice cream shop has already experienced overwhelming community support.
"The first day, we had a wraparound line inside and out ... the line was out the door," Tyler said.
Both businesses emphasize the importance of community support in a small town.
"Everybody coming in just to say hi and try it out," Lockwood said.
So far this year, Grain Valley has registered 48 new businesses with the city, including these two new Main Street establishments.
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