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Boardwalk Cafe and Emporium: Corbin couple opens business to help others

Posted at 8:09 PM, Oct 12, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-12 20:31:01-04

CORBIN, Ky. (LEX 18) — Small businesses have always been part of America's fabric, and about 100 miles south of Lexington in Corbin, a local couple is making sure the pandemic does not erase that part of their community.

For years Cassiday Holt has wanted to open a small cafe and bakery. What she did not envision was doing so in the middle of a global pandemic.

"I've been asking my boss for advice, and he said you want my advice? Don't do this," Cassiday Holt chuckled.

After getting a dream deal on the old BB&T Bank building on Master Street, she decided to move ahead, and lucky for her, her partner Bradley was on board.

"Let's do it. I have management experience, I've been an operations manager, a general manager, you name it," Bradley Holt said of the idea.

But the Boardwalk Cafe and Emporium is more than a place to grab a cold brew and a freshly baked treat; it is something of a small business incubator.

Cassiday Holt said, "We realized it had a ton of offices, and we thought...small businesses."

The areas that used to be offices at the bank are being transformed into storefronts for local makers or businesses trying to get off the ground.

"People who either don't have enough money to get their own building or people that may have been affected by the coronavirus. Maybe they had to close down or minimize. We want to bring them here and build them back up," Bradley Holt explained.

They just opened on October 1st, but already they have got two businesses in house and art from local artists on the walls, and they have got room for more. The couple said they hope to create a space where anyone feels comfortable, and any dream is possible.

"We want to bring people in and build that sense of community again, nothing corporate nothing like that, just small businesses coming together," Cassiday Holt said.

If you are interested in renting the space or a storefront, visit The Boardwalk Cafe and Emporium at 1390 Master Street in Corbin.

Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.