Honoring Women-Owned Small Businesses in Murray
Rudy’s on the Square / Carey’s Boutique / Growing Wild / Charlton & Park / Ribbon Chix / Lulu’s Home Trends Gallery / Whitney’s / Plantation Place / The Plaid Rabbit / Five Psalms / Red Bug Yarn & Gifts / Intuition of Murray
Strong. Beautiful. Entrepreneurial. These are just a few adjectives to describe the fearless women who have shaped the small business community in Murray, Kentucky. It’s not easy opening, managing, and promoting a business within a world lead by big box stores, but the women of Murray fight everyday to make it happen. Let’s celebrate these individuals, by not only financially supporting them, but sharing some of their stories!
Meet Krista and Michelle | Ribbon Chix Boutique
Ribbon Chix was co-founded by sisters, Krista and Michelle. Growing up on a farm in Murray, KY, these sisters were inspired by their mother who had a home business of creating and selling appliqued apparel, but learned a lesson on hard work from their parents family tobacco patch.
After graduating from Murray State University, each sister married their significant others, and had daughters of their own. Creativity runs in their blood, and through their mothers advice, they quickly learned how to make adorable hand-made bows for their little girls. Naturally, this turned into making bows for family and friends, and growing into the business we know now “Ribbon Chix.”
The sisters opened a tiny store in downtown Murray, with a small inventory of hand-made items, which eventually led to expanding to outside clothing lines. After their first clothing market, they took off! It didn’t take many market experiences to find their unique style and overall passion for women’s fashion.
Meet Kate and Audra | Intuition of Murray
Kate was born and raised in Murray, KY, but later moved away for her husbands job. Her longing to be back in her favorite small town inspired to move their family back to Murray, where she later met Audra and future business partner. Kate has always had a passion for creativity, which influences every corner of the store. Between painting furniture and artwork, creating displays, or finding new treasures, Kate brings her creative passion through the doors each day!
Audra was born and raised in Marion, KY, and married her high school sweetheart who served in the US Navy for 21 years. After he retired, they decided to move their family and settle in Murray. Audra has always had a passion for design, remodeling, and making old things feel new again. Upon meeting, Audra and Kate bonded over their shared passions and work ethic, formed a sweet friendship, and pursued their dream of owning a business together that we fondly know as Intuition of Murray.
At any given time, you may find both of these ladies with a paintbrush in hand, creating one-of-a-kind pieces or enhancing their curated collection of home-decor and children’s items.
Meet Pam Reed | Rudy’s on the Square
Pam Reed purchased Rudy’s on the Square to run the business on her own, providing quality service and food to the community. Originally established in 1936, Rudy’s re-opened their doors in 2017 offering fresh, delicious meals to Murray and the surrounding areas. You will usually find Pam waiting on tables, chatting with her patrons, or fulfilling food orders through the service window.
Rudy’s on the Square is a local, family-owned restaurant serving traditional southern home-style comfort food in downtown Murray. This meat and three restaurant rotates their daily specials, and never turns away a hungry local or visitor. If you find yourself in the downtown court square, step back in time at Murray’s oldest diner to sit and enjoy a classic home-made meal.
Meet Susan and Janeen | Red Bug Yarn & Gifts
Owned by Susan Williams and Janeen Sutton, Red Bug Yarn & Gifts is named after a 1963 Red VW Beetle, and the only fiber-arts supplies store in Murray, Kentucky. At any given time, you’ll find Janeen knitting a sweater at the beautiful oak table in the center of the store, or you’ll find Susan offering a warm cup of coffee and guiding a lesson. These ladies offer knitting and crocheting classes, open to all levels of experience, or invite you to sit at the table for playful conversation. At Red Bug, their motto is “every trip’s an adventure, and it’s always fun!”
