People across the globe will soon be ushering in a New Year. For local Poplar Bluffians, there is no lack of enthusiasm for the upcoming new year.
Brooke Sweet, the owner of Earth and Water Bath House, located on Vine Street in Poplar Bluff, said for her, 2022 was about getting more acquainted with the local community and people getting more acquainted with her and what her business is offering.
“Along with having the local thing, I also have a product brand that I am launching nationally and I recently got my first resort spa account in upstate New York,” Sweet said excitedly.
For 2023, she said she is hoping to land a couple more resort spa accounts to “help put Poplar Bluff on the map,” as well as add some internal wellness-oriented beverages to her holistic hands-off approach to health.
Poplar Bluff firefighter Jeremy Downing said he was blessed to have crossed over 12 years in 2022 with the fire department.
“Professionally, I have gained a lot of insight into my career and I am smoothing my way into looking toward retirement now,” he said with a smile. “Personally, my family and I launched a hobby farm this year.”
Thomas Wright, barber and owner of Tom’s Barber Shop, has been serving the community of Poplar Bluff for 47 years, sewing the seeds of his long career at the young age of 16.
He said that 2022 was not particularly kind to him, “things have gotten so expensive, I will have to raise my prices,” said Wright.
He went on to say he is recognizing many parallels between the current climate of the nation and a broadcast message brought to us many years ago by Paul Harvey titled, “If I Were The Devil.”
Wright says he is hopeful there will be new leadership in government in the coming year to make some changes for the better.
Poplar Bluff Firefighter Cade Lowe, along with his wife Taylor, welcomed the joy of new life in 2022 with the birth of their first son, Gunner Wesley.
Lowe said, “we’re excited to see what 2023 brings us.”
Fox Trot barista Kenzie Raley can be found most mornings brewing up coffee and hot teas for the regulars that visit the cozy Vine Street location. She said 2022 brought her newfound independence.
“I recently moved out with my boyfriend to Poplar Bluff and we got our first apartment. It’s great. We have two cats, and it’s amazing.”
She said she is looking forward to more exciting firsts in the coming year.
It seems the overall outlook for the new year is one of hope. Hope for new growth and prosperity in the city of Poplar Bluff and the outlook of new opportunities on the horizon for residents, heroes and business owners alike.