Koch & Company adds art classes to celebrate two great years on Dixie

The ladies of Koch & Company

It has been two years since we introduced you to Koch and Company, a fine art consignment and framing shop in the Valley Station Shopping Center, and owner Deborah Koch says she's ready for more as she launches the next stage of her business.

Since opening in 2010, Koch & Company has been on an even keel. Koch reports although the economy remains stubborn, new offerings in the shop are bringing in customers from all over town.

Koch says, "[Our products] are treated as a luxury item and we realize people have to buy necessities like fuel and food first....you pay bills before you buy art,". Because of the difficult economic conditions, Deborah and staff had to literally "get creative".

While the framing part of the business remains steady, Koch, with her staff Alecia Thurman and Kellie Burton, considered entering the growing "paint your own art" segment - an increasingly popular activity that is drawing in diverse crowds of people. "We decided to come up with a plan to open an art school and four days later we had it done. It has caught on like wildfire," says Koch.

For more information on Koch and Company's art classes or to book a class, visit kochandcompany.com or stop by and see the ladies.

Koch & Company is located at 10970 Dixie Highway and is a member of the Louisville Independent Business Alliance (LIBA).

The future looks bright for Koch & Company with new offerings and a possible expansion in the works.

Deborah says,"We would like to invite everyone in Southwest Louisville, West Point and Radcliff to spend on Dixie instead of traveling beyond our community." 

In photo, from Left: Student Amy French, Instructor Alecia Thurman, Deborah Koch and Instructor Kellie Burton enjoying Oaks Day

Get your yoga on: Supreme Peace Yoga sponsors free community class

Yoga is the world's oldest spiritual discipline and has recently exploded in popularity all over the United States. It is an activity that has been practiced for thousands of years, and it is something that has evolved and changed over time. Different factions of yoga have developed since its conception, and today's Yoga aims to manage stress, stretch, and strengthen the body through various poses.

In Louisville, yoga studios were mostly confined to east side neighborhoods until 2011.

On February 23, Supreme Peace Yoga celebrated its second anniversary in the Beechmont neighborhood. Southwest Louisville's only yoga studio, Supreme Peace welcomes both newcomers and veterans by offering classes at all levels.

This Saturday, March 2nd, Supreme Peace Yoga will hold a FREE Community Yoga Class in the basement of the Iroquois branch of the Louisville Free Public Library from 11am to 12pm. You can click HERE for the event's Facebook listing to RSVP.

For more information on Supreme Peace Yoga, visit their website HERE or call 502-644-5796. You can also drop by the studio, located at 808 W. Ashland Avenue.

Thanks for supporting this unique and locally-owned business in our end of town.

He's back: Hawkins to battle Thieneman in 37th district primary

Like a bad rash that won't go away, former Metro Councilman Doug Hawkins is back on the ballot.

Hawkins joins fellow Republicans Chris Thieneman and John Yuen in filing for the State Senate's recently-redrawn 37th district - a political hot potato that is being thrown around in Franklin County Circuit Court.

Incumbent Senator Perry Clark was drawn out of the district, and therefore is unable to retain his seat.

On the Democratic side, challengers include 21st District Metro Councilman Dan Johnson, attorney Robert Walker II and Democratic Party insider Steve Bittenbender.

Analysis: This should be an interesting race should all the candidates remain on the ballot. One item of particular interest is Chris Thieneman's current address. On the filing paperwork he submitted to the Secretary of State, Thieneman listed his address as 7650 Dixie Highway, Louisville, KY 40258.

7650 Dixie Highway is the address for Fort Locks, a self-storage business of which Thieneman is listed as "manager".

Either Thieneman lives in a storage locker or something is wrong here.

Tan, rested and ready, Doug Hawkins tries to revive a dead political career by running in a race he's already lost. Hawkins was beaten by Perry Clark in a special election in 2006. The special election was ordered after it had been revealed the Republican winner had lied about her address.

The office of State Senate, like other state offices, has a residency requirement. For the Senate: "At the time of election, [the candidate] must be at least 30 years of age, a citizen of Kentucky, resided in the State 6 years next preceding his election, and the last year thereof in the district for which he may be chosen."

There will be more on this contest next week as the new, extended filing deadline approaches and as more information on the candidates becomes available.

Dixie Highway "business census" to begin soon

In the coming weeks, I and a handful of faithful volunteers will be conducting an informal census of businesses located along Dixie Highway, starting in the Valley Village area and extending to points north yet to be determined.

The point of all this is to properly illustrate and inventory the types of businesses we already have and compare them to the ones most commonly mentioned as ones residents say they would like to have in Southwest Louisville.

The census will be an informal affair and will not include any conversations with the owners or customers. We are after raw data, here. Not opinions.

If you are interested in helping out, drop me a line by clicking here. Don't forget to include the amount of time you would be willing to dedicate as well as what part of the highway you'd like to inventory.

I'm certain that, while we know what we have, we may be shocked by what we see. To actually see it written down in cold hard numbers may be a wake-up call to all citizens.

Thanks for your consideration, and thanks for reading the Valley Report.

Brian
The Valley Report

Public meeting scheduled for drive-thru Subway at Dixie and Ashby

From the office of CM Bob Henderson(D-14):

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING CASE #16747

YOU ARE INVITED TO ATTEND A REVIEW OF A PROPOSAL FOR LANDSCAPE WAIVERS FOR VEHICLE USE AREAS AT 10500 DIXIE HIGHWAY AT THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF ASHBY LANE. THE MEETING WILL BE HELD BEGINNING AT 1PM ON December 28TH AT 514 WEST LIBERTY STREET UNTIL ALL CASES ARE HEARD. THE APPLICANT IS PLANNING A SUBWAY FOR THAT PROPERTY.

If you are planning to go to this meeting, please CLICK HERE to read about how these meetings are conducted so you will be familiar with all of the weird rules. Also, you may have to devote a significant part of your day in order to participate. It is one of the reasons these meetings are so poorly attended, and is why bad projects seem to breeze right through the system in Louisville.

SW news updates: Mobile dental unit & shopping locally

This is NOT what you want.

- Mobile Dental Unit: The Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness Mobile Dental Unit is now accepting new patients! The Mobile Dental Unit will be available for appointments at the Southwest Government Center (7219 Dixie Highway) on Mondays and Wednesdays between 8:00am and 4:30pm. Emergency dental services for adults are provided. Patients pay $10 at the time of service and the remaining balance is based on a sliding income scale. Call (502) 574-6688 to schedule an appointment.

- Buy Local 

• Fairdale Florist: 30% off Christmas Décor and great stocking stuffers! Located at 10700 West Manslick Road.

• LeLe’s Boutique: Christmas Specials Galore! Located at 10624 West Manslick Road.

• Koch & Company Christmas Open House: December 10th from 5-10pm! Fine art, painted furniture, floral jewelry, pottery, wood, antiques, gifts, glass, Christmas items, and much more! Located at 10978 Dixie Highway (Gene Snyder and Dixie Highway Valley Station Shopping Center). Call 502-618-4069 for information.

Independent local businesses employ an array of supporting services, circulating money in and strengthening the local economy. Dollars spent at community-based merchants create a multiplier effect. Studies have shown that for every $100 spent at a chain, $15 remains in the community while $45 remains when spent with home town businesses.

Valley Station pimped by dollar stores- residents flee

The latest edition of Councilman Bob Henderson's email newsletter arrived a few days ago and attached was an interesting story about economic development in the 14th District:

There will be an informational meeting on December 14th at 1pm concerning the property at 13313 Dixie Hwy (north east corner of Dixie and Pendleton Road) for a possible Family Dollar Store at that site. The meeting will be held at 514 West Liberty Street in downtown Louisville.

Case #16208

Let's talk about it.

What do you think about this development? Is it the right thing for SW Louisville? Is it the best we can get? Do you think it is a good thing? Is any business a good business? Is our area over-served by dollar stores?

The facts are clear. The area is already saturated with dollar stores, from the Dollar Tree to Dollar General and now Family Dollar.

But what I want to know is what YOU think of this new situation.

Blast away.....

Buy local on Black Friday

Thanksgiving is nearly upon us and with it, the holiday shopping frenzy. I hope you will join me in supporting our independent, locally-owned businesses on "Black Friday" by shopping small.

Southwest Louisville has many treasures, as does the city proper. You should have no trouble finding that unique gift for someone on your list, and you will be helping your community by making sure the money stays in town.

Koch and Company, WHY Louisville and Handicraft Ceramics (at the Southwest Center) are but a few examples of places you can go and shop guilt-free this year.

Buy local. You might save a job or help someone through your purchase.

Valley Post Office meeting TONIGHT

Reminder: An informational meeting concerning the closing of the Valley Station Post Office is being held today, Tuesday October 25th, from 7pm-8pm at the VFW Post located at 6518 Blevins Gap Road.

USPS officials will be on hand to answer your questions about the post office.

Build the Southwest Bridge

The next big thing: Here comes Koch & Company

Photo by Mark Lynch for The Valley Report

This is a story about how to build an empire.

Deborah Koch sits back in a chair and bristles at the thought of being incorrectly identified as a 52 year old by the local newspaper as we begin our informal interview. We share a moment of laughter over the gaffe as I assure her that age isn't a priority for this story.

It is her talent I'm after.

Her shop, Koch & Company, has been open in the Valley Station Shopping Center a mere three months, but already Koch is looking like a veteran of the industry. After putting together a solid business plan, she obtained a low-interest METCO loan from city government to open her gallery - a full service framing shop featuring graphic design work and consignment of fine art that also sells jewelry and unique gifts along with decorative furniture.

Deborah runs the shop, but it is definitely a team effort. "I love the people I work with. I couldn't do this without them", she says.

The space is comfortably arranged and welcoming. If it seems eerily familiar, it is. Although remodeled and modern, you are standing in what used to be the produce section of the old Winn Dixie store that once occupied the location.

A showcase of original, one-of-a-kind artwork, Koch sells pieces from 49 of Louisville's finest artists - some from right here in Southwest Louisville. "When people think of our part of town, they don't necessarily think of a group of talented artists, but we are loaded with them. We are truly blessed out here."

Our interview is punctuated by cigarette breaks, and as the talk eventually veers off subject to political matters and public perceptions, I browse the gallery. Here's the thing: You really must spend some time in this place to see everything. Not just looking, but seeing. But be warned- you could spend the entire day here.

The shop also feels like a gathering place for the neighborhood as a cast of local characters rotate in and out. Customers shop the selection and leave with heavy praise. Said one excited patron, "We really needed something like this out here. Thank you so much!"

This could be the next big thing for Southwest Louisville. As a woman exits, Koch says, "I am blessed to be here every day. And I wouldn't live anywhere else."

As business progresses, Koch plans a rapid expansion and an additional service - art classes given by the very artists who created the work on the walls. The shop has an option to expand an additional 5000 square feet, and it is doubtlessly going to be successful.

In addition to the impressive selection, the shop also has a wide variety of prices to suit all budgets. Here, there really is something for everyone. Koch & Company accepts cash and all major credit cards, so grab that family heirloom or photograph you've been wanting to have framed and take it to Deborah and her talented and entertaining staff. You will not be disappointed in this Southwest treasure.

Koch & Company is located at 10978 Dixie Highway.
Hours: Tuesday through Thursday, 10am-6pm
Friday, 10am-8pm
Saturday, 10am-6pm
Sunday, 12-5pm
Closed on Monday

If readers would like to know more or have questions about METCO loans, you can start by asking someone who has been through the process and has been successful at obtaining help. Deborah Koch invites anyone seeking information on the program to contact her. Her experience could be useful to you.

A photo album of our visit is now live on our Facebook page. Special thanks to Mark Lynch of Valley Station for taking the photos.

2011 Taste of South Louisville begins Saturday

Click to enlarge

Be sure to bring the family out to this year’s Taste of South Louisville, Saturday, September 10 at St. Thomas More, 6105 South Third Street. Sponsored by the South Louisville Community Ministries, this community event is a delicious opportunity to get out and meet your neighbors.

Councilwoman Vicki Welch says, "Because the Ministries help so many during the year, I think it’s wonderful to see the community coming together to raise the funds they need."

The event will feature tasty food from numerous South End restaurants, as well as door prizes and over 30 silent auction items. The event will take place from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. and is $12 per person or $20 per couple.

Music provided by Waters Edge, Louisville’s own “go to” acappella vocal group.

Participating restaurants include; Vietnam Kitchen, Jimbo’s Bar-B-Q, Rubbies Southside Grill, Tuscany Italian Restaurant, Shack in the Back Barbecue, El Nopal, Mojito’s / Havana Rumba, Chick Fil-A and Flavor Catering.

Event sponsors include council members Welch, Dan Johnson, Marianne Butler, David Yates and Rick Blackwell – and local businesses Girard’s Hardware, Bright Pest Control, Republic Bank and L&N Federal Credit Union.

For additional information, please call the South Louisville Ministries at 367-6445.

New Cut Road/Taylor Boulevard Corridor Design Workshop set for Sept. 10

The New Cut Road/Taylor Boulevard Corridor Design Workshop will be a fun and collaborative neighborhood event. The workshop will be held Saturday, September 10th at 9 a.m. Lynnhurst United Church of Christ at 4401 Taylor Boulevard. Refreshments will be provided by Metro Council members.

From the Auburndale Neighborhood Group:

The Design Workshop welcomes and encourages every citizen to participate in this visual depiction of your ideas. We want you to help choose community priorities and then work together to make grassroots change that creates the future we all want.

We invite you to join us.

Together, we can build a brighter future for the residents and businesses along the New Cut Road/Taylor Boulevard Corridor. Council members Welch (D-13), Butler (D-15), Johnson D-21, and Yates (D-25) represent the area along the Corridor. They firmly believe that people who get involved in civic work and strive to be good neighbors can move mountains. That’s why we made the commitment to help sponsor a Community Design Workshop — a public meeting that invites everybody to be a part of making our neighborhood a better place to live.

Group plans to "bombard" local eatery with customers

Wednesday, August 24th beginning at 7:00pm, you can take part in a unique and satisfying event that helps your locally-owned businesses and improves your community. 

In a series known as "Random Bombardment Night", a local group will be flooding selected local businesses with customers willing to spend a little money and have a good time. 

This week's choice is Nana's Country Kitchen at Lower Hunters Trace and Cane Run Road. HERE is a map.


The Facebook group "I AM Dixie Highway" has created "Random Bombardment Nights" in order to get people together and help out a south end business. That is a noble cause and one for which we can all be proud.


You may RSVP to this event by clicking HERE.

To learn more about the group or to join, please visit the link above to see the group's Facebook page. You don't have to join to take part in the event, and there are no mandatory fees or dues. You just need a willingness to participate in a good civic action and a desire to have fun.


It is recommended you RSVP through the event page so the staff at Nana's can accommodate what hopefully shall be an enormous crowd.


The group's first event at Valley Dairy Freeze attracted nearly 60 people and included three representatives of Louisville's Metro Council.


Hope to see you there.

UPDATED: Let us hope this is not our destiny. But it probably is.

The first video is a classic in local television commercial stupidity. Straight out of Alabama:



If that was not enough for you, check out this next entry. Straight out of Valley Station. The ultimate in embarrassing idiocy. May the Lord have mercy on us.

Midweek headlines for SW Louisville

Photo by Mark Lynch

- There are now pictures of last night's "District 12 Dialogue" posted on our Facebook fan page. Special thanks to Mark Lynch of Valley Station for taking the photos.

- The animated classic “Toy Story 3” will be this week’s feature film for the District 5 Friday Night Outdoor Family Film Festival at Shawnee Park. The series will wrap up this year’s run with “Jumping the Broom” on Friday, August 26th

The film series provides free movies on Friday nights throughout the month of August.

“I am pleased with the turn out we have seen from the community with our films and we think these two features will be great fun for young and old alike,” says Councilwoman Cheri Bryant Hamilton (D-5) who is sponsoring the series.

Admission is free. The movies will be shown at the Shawnee Park Sports Complex beginning at dusk. The ball fields are located at Southwestern Parkway and West Market Street.

“You can bring a lawn chair or a blanket and then sit back in a nice surrounding and have some fun,” says Hamilton. “This is a chance to enjoy the last bit of summer.”

- The CJ has a nice story about actor and Valley High School alum Conrad Bachmann. Read it HERE.

- American Synthetic Rubber Corporation (ASRC) in Rubbertown has applied for a permit that would allow the company to eliminate use of the chemical toluene in their manufacturing process. The company is proposing to replace toluene with a combination of two less hazardous chemicals.

The proposed permit and all related documents can be found HERE.

The public is encouraged to learn about this permit application and is urged to send comments.Comment letters will be accepted until 5 p.m. Aug. 30 at the Louisville Metro Air Pollution Control District, 850 Barret Ave., Louisville, Ky., 40204.

Dixie Sears Essentials returning to K-Mart roots.

The Sears Essentials store on Dixie Highway is holding a clearance sale in preparation of a "remodeling". The remodeling will once again turn the store into a K-Mart.

The store started as a K-Mart years ago, before being converted into the now-failed Sears Essentials.

A sign inside the store states the new K-Mart will be opening in November 2011 and will feature some of the same items currently being sold under the Sears name, including the popular Craftsman tools and Die-Hard lines of merchandise.

End of summer SW Business roundup

It's been another tough year for Southwest Louisville business. We have seen several high-profile closings and the end of some long-time local favorites. Here are the latest items relating to our SW business community. If you have any to add, please contact us.

- The Old Louisville Coffeehouse, formerly located at 4th and Hill, is now open at it’s new location at 4956 Manslick Road (Sister Beans old location). Open 7days a week from 6am-9pm featuring free music on weekends.Café style setting with great free group meeting space accommodating up to 60 people.

Owners Pamela and Robert Campbell invite you to come see for yourself.

For more information please call 502-364-0053 or email at pscampbell93@bellsouth.net

*Thanks to Bob Henderson (D-14) for this info*

- PRP Pizza is now open in the space formerly occupied by the 19th Hole Pub on Greenwood Road.

- The Valley Station Sonic Drive-In restaurant is closed. Rumors of a "remodeling" seem to be greatly exaggerated.

-  The August meeting of the PRP Area Business Association will be held August 18 at the Shively Community Center. Event begins at 11:30am and will feature Mayor Greg Fisher.

Valley Station Hallmark store shuttered

Photo courtesy of Corey Koellner

As many of you may know, the Hallmark Gold Crown store located in the Dixie Valley shopping center will close its doors at the end of July.

A store employee today said that the rent had been raised to a level that would not allow the business to remain in the center.

The employee told us today that the store would not be seeking a more affordable location and would be simply going out of business in Valley Station.

The Dixie Valley shopping center has been at the center of a controversy involving the new owners, Baceline Investments LLC of Denver, and the operators of a Vendors' Village flea market that is set to open in the old Kroger space. Wal-Mart is the "anchor" tenant in the center.

Baceline recently purchased Dixie Valley for $3.3 million dollars.

Blackwell/Yates honoring local Special Olympic teams

Councilmen Blackwell and Yates to recognize 22 Special Olympic teams at local softball tournament

Incarnation Catholic Church hosts 10th annual event Saturday, July 30th

A great sports competition gets underway on Saturday, July 30th when 22 softball teams meet to play in the 10th Annual Special Olympics Softball Tournament at Incarnation Catholic Church.

“This will be a great weekend of sports, fun and activity for everyone,” says Councilman Rick Blackwell (D-12). “I am honored to join Incarnation Catholic Church in support of Special Olympics of Kentucky.”

Councilman Blackwell has been a sponsor of the tournament for many years. He and Councilman David Yates (D-25) are partnering with volunteers of Incarnation Catholic Church and Special Olympics. During the competition, every team and athlete will receive recognition and an award for their participation.

“These young men and women should be recognized for their dedication to physical fitness through athletic competition,” says Yates “I am pleased my support will help provide a memorable day for them.”

The tournament will run from 8:00am to 8:00pm. The Incarnation Catholic Church is located at 2229 Lower Hunters Trace.

The mission of Special Olympics of Kentucky is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities by giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness,

To learn more about the 10th Annual Special Olympics Softball Tournament go to: http://www.incarnationcatholicchurch.org/. To learn more about all programs and events of Special Olympics of Kentucky, go to:www.soky.org