By Chad Carlton, Building Kentucky
Kentucky has a rich heritage of hospitality.
We open doors for people, smile at strangers, remember to say “thanks,” and make casseroles for ailing neighbors. Simply put, we care about others.
A few weeks ago, I found a great example of our compassionate Commonwealth on the walls of a downtown Lexington coffee shop called Chocolate Holler. My friend, Danny Murphy, had suggested the quiet place for a catch-up chat that covered business opportunities, racial diversity, and our teenage years in nearby Anderson County.
As I sipped my cold chocolate concoction, I noticed a “Pay It Forward” sign on the nearby wall and dozens of cardboard cup holders pinned to bulletin boards.
The holders were scrawled with messages:
- “Any drink for someone working with hurt children”
- “Law student that survived finals”
- “Free drink for any new mom”
- “Free drink for a KCH nurse”
I learned the “Pay It Forward” wall has been going strong for years now at Chocolate Holler and A Cup of Common Wealth. Both coffee shops were created by Salvador Sanchez, a Michigan native who moved to Lexington and opened a Kentucky blue door at his first shop in 2013.
His guiding principles go with our Kentucky hospitality like morning goes with coffee: “Embrace community. Serve others. Create culture.”
So when you’re in Lexington or Georgetown, stop in to one of Sanchez’s shops. Buy a cup of community and pay it forward with a cup for someone else. If you can’t visit the Holler or the Common Wealth, you can give a cup of Kentucky kindness online here: https://www.acupofcommonwealth.com/pay-it-forward.
Thanks, y’all!
About The Author
Chad Carlton is Publisher of Building Kentucky and President at C2 Strategic Communications. He brings more than 25 years of high-stakes, front-line communications experience to the leadership of C2 Strategic.
Chad is a strategic and creative thinker, a polished writer and a respected adviser to strong leaders including governors, mayors, company executives, cabinet secretaries and entrepreneurs.
Since founding C2 Strategic in January 2011, Chad has focused on work that makes a positive difference in the community – from education to transportation, from non-profits to business.
