FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 9, 2022
 Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Recently, U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, recognized Napier Brothers Clothing of Lancaster, Kentucky as the Senate Small Business of the Week.

Dr. Paul entered the following into the Congressional Record:

Mr. PAUL. Mr. President, as Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Kentucky small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to recognize Napier Brothers Clothing of Lancaster, Kentucky as the Senate Small Business of the Week. 

Mr. Lonnie Napier is a lifelong resident of Garrard County, Kentucky, and he remembers when the county did not look quite like it does today. Mr. Napier grew up in a rural part of Garrard County, and as a boy he did not know the comforts of running water, telephones, electricity, and in-door plumbing. However, as Mr. Napier grew older he continued to leave his mark on the community. In 1966, at the age of twenty-six years old, Mr. Napier was elected to the Garrard County Fiscal Court, the youngest man to ever be elected to such group. From that day forward Mr. Napier would continue his involvement with local government, even as he began his career in the clothing business. 

Lonnie Napier opened Napier Brothers Clothing back in 1990, and he has been working at the same location in Lancaster square ever since, making it the oldest small business on the town square. As one might gather from the store’s name, Lonnie’s business is a family business, having named the store after his two sons, both of which worked in the store during their youth. Today the store sells all sorts of clothing, ranging from casual wear to clothes suited for working outside, and shoes, ranging from men’s and ladies’ footwear to work boots suitable for outdoor conditions. According to Lonnie Napier the most popular item that his store sells is blue jeans, which is no wonder considering the wide selection of blue jeans Mr. Napier keeps stocked in his collection of shelves along the store’s wall. Mr. Napier ensures that all products in his store are top quality, and that the customer service of Napier Brothers Clothing far exceeds that of his corporate competitors.

Given Garrard County’s location within central Kentucky, agriculture enjoys a large influence on their surrounding communities. Large businesses such as Tractor Supply directly compete with Mr. Napier’s customer base, but corporations simply cannot match the sense of familiarity and geniality that a customer feels when walking into Napier Brothers Clothing. Mr. Napier has a knack for taking care of his customers, always answering their questions and hearing whatever concerns they may have. His amiability as a business owner is one of the many traits that led him to find success in local governance. A highlight of Mr. Napier’s political career occurred back in 1984 when he was running for a seat in the Kentucky House of Representatives. Initially thinking it was a prank, Mr. Napier finally paid a phone call to a telephone number his friends kept insisting he dial. That phone call led to Lonnie Napier receiving an in-person campaign endorsement from then president Ronal Reagan. In addition to having met former president Reagan, Mr. Napier also had the pleasure of meeting former presidents George Bush Sr. and Bill Clinton.

Though he occasionally rubbed shoulders with politicians in the big leagues, Mr. Napier never lost sight of his mission to run the best small business in Lancaster. From a country-born boy who grew up having to walk five miles to school each day, to a successful main street entrepreneur who has consistently looked out for the citizens of Lancaster, Mr. Napier has enjoyed a long and fruitful career in his corner of Kentucky. Congratulations to Lonnie Napier and to the whole team at Napier Brothers Clothing. I look forward to seeing their continued growth and success in Kentucky.

As Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Dr. Paul continues the tradition of honoring America’s small businesses and entrepreneurs. The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship oversees proposed legislation on matters relating to the Small Business Administration and investigates all problems relating to America’s small businesses.

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