Story and photos by Emily Hardeman-Erbar
Nestled among Kentucky’s capital and larger cities, Lawrenceburg is a quaint yet lively town with a little bit of everything. With a revamped downtown surrounded by Anderson County, Lawrenceburg’s 12,000 residents are building community together.
The city’s corner spreads positivity through her coffee shop. A married couple welds together. A Vietnam veteran attends the annual Burgoo Festival. A dog named Lucy is cared for at the animal clinic.
From an outsider’s perspective, “it was just very different” moving to Lawrenceburg, says Jacqueline Cinnamon.
Cinnamon, who moved from Ohio to a small Lawrenceburg farm a little over a decade ago, has grown very fond of the town. “The people here are really friendly. We help take care of everyone.”
Even though Anderson county is pretty rural, what attracts people to the center of life in the county are the shops and buildings that line downtown Lawrenceburg.
“I moved here in 2001. There was no coffee in Lawrenceburg. We needed it. I mean we needed a coffee shop. It’s required in small towns, and I felt called to start this,” says Anderson County Coroner and owner of Off The Ground Coffee House, Lora Harrison.
Matt Maynard, co-owner of Maynard Studios, is another small business owner, producing many welded and blacksmithed products for customers all over the country and the world.
“We typically don’t take on local pieces or clients, but I wanted to make an exception for this fireplace piece for a local to help them out,” says Matt Maynard.
Lawrenceburg residents “like to support local and buy local,” says Tommy Yankee, member of the Anderson County Cattlemen’s Association.
Yet, “the biggest culprit to our change is Walmart and Kroger. They came here and put a lot of the little business out,” says Yankee.
Despite corporate chains moving in, the city center of Lawrenceburg is where the traditional small town feel takes shape and thrives. It has everything you could need–even a vet clinic.
Dr. Matt Pochebit serves as one of the veterinarians at The Animal Clinic.
“You know I’m originally from Massachusetts, but I met my wife Emily and settled down here. But, there’s nothing I would change about the work I do here. I love it. I love helping the people of Lawrenceburg and their pets,” says Pochebit.
Right down the road from the clinic is the bustle of downtown Lawrenceburg. A place where residents and visitors of all ages and backgrounds travel through on their early morning commutes, pursue the boutiques, grab a cup of coffee, and host festivals.
Harrison notes, in 2015 and 2016, Lawrenceburg experienced a big change, one for the good with many shops opening, bringing more life to downtown.
“Sweet Mash came in and just a bunch of restaurants and it started falling into place for everybody,” says Harrison.
Beyond what people provide for each other, they are also able to sustain themselves and their families by sourcing necessities and hobbies at their own home.
Karine Maynard, wife to Matt Maynard and the other half of Maynard Studios, produces her own honey and beeswax with her at home American Honey Bee beehive boxes.
Karine Maynard’s hobby is currently evolving into homemade beeswax candles and different variations of honey to sell locally.
Whether a visitor, or resident, events such as the Burgoo Festival, celebrating Lawrenceburg as the Burgoo Capital of the World, aids in that tight-knit hometown feel.
Jesse Sanford, infamous for his burgoo, started cooking the stew 15 years ago, but is considered a founding father of the Burgoo Festival, establishing it over 30 years ago.
When asked about burgoo, “it’s just good I reckon. They wait for this time every year,” says Sanford.
With many booths dedicated to small businesses, local charities, churches, and groups, the Burgoo Festival is one of the many uniquely-Lawrenceburg things that bring this small town with a large heart together.