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3.26.26 · Kentucky Business News

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Speaker 1: Hello. Today, I'll be reading from business sources in Lexington
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and Louisville, including The Lame Report and others from around
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the Commonwealth. Your reader today is Julia Shane. As a reminder,
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RADIOI is a reading service intended for people who are
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blind or who have other disabilities that make it difficult
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to read printed material. Our first article comes from the
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March twenty fourth to twenty twenty sixth edition of The
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Lame Report and is titled McDonald's launches first ever Dueling
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Meals written by Hannah Stanley. After dominating charts, screens and
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playlists worldwide in the Academy Award winning K pop demon Hunters,
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global K pop icons Hunter X and The Sage Boys
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are bringing their battle for the fans straight to the
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Golden Arches. Starting March thirty first, McDonald's is teaming up
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with Netflix to turn restaurants into the Ultimate Arena. The
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partnership features two all new meals for adults and exclusive
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photo cards that unlocked first access content for a limited time.
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The campaign also brings flavors from McDonald's restaurants in South Korea,
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connecting fans to the film through taste. Everything we do
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at McDonald's is for the fans, and no one can
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relate to that more than Netflix and K pop demon Hunters,
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said Elissa but Tikoefer, chief Marketing and Customer Experience officer
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at McDonald's. Big things happen when you bring two massive
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fandoms together, and this partnership was a natural fit. We
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found authentic ways to unite our iconic worlds, inviting Hunter
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X and Saja Boy fans into the rivalry in many
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ways that feel true to the film and unmistakably McDonald's
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for the pride the Saja Boy's breakfast meal. I think
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you can resist the Saga Boys, the hottest K pop
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demon group is stealing the spotlight with the Saga Boys
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breakfast meal, channeling their signals heartthroped charm with a spicy
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Saga muffin, a sausage McMuffin with egg topped with a peppery,
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spicy Saja sauce inspired by the fire of Guima hash
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browns our signature hash Browns crispy on the outside and
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soft on the inside, just like the Saja Boys leader
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Genu Soft Drink your choice of a little soda pop
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to cool down from the heat. For the Hunters. The
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Hunter X Meal. Hunter X is taking the stage for
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the rest of the day to show fans how it's done.
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The Hunter X meal makes the Golden Arches even more
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golden and includes a ten piece chicken nuggets, medium soft drink,
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and three limited time menu items. Raymond mcshaker Fries a
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spicy Umammi spin on our world famous fries featuring a soy, garlic,
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sesame and spice seasoning inspired by Rumi, Mira and Go
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to Snack. Sprinkle the seasoning into the micshaker bag, add
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fries and shake for a bold taste that's true to
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South Korean flavors. Hunter Sauce a sweet chili sauce mixing
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notes of chili, garlic, and pepper with just enough heat,
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inspired by hunters ex fierce yet fun loving personalities. Demon
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Sauce a bold mustard sauce with heat and tang, made
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purple just like Demon patterns K pop. Demon Hunters has
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ignited an incredibly passionate global fandom, and we're always looking
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for authentic ways to bring fans deeper into the worlds
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they love, said Mary and Lee, chief marketing officer for Netflix.
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With McDonald's we were able to turn the rivalry between
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Massaga Boys and Hunter X into something fans can actually experience,
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drawing inspiration from Korean culture and food traditions that sit
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at the heart of the film, from Raymond mcshaker fries
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to demon sauces paired with soda pop. Every detail was
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designed to feel like it could have come straight out
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of a scene in the movie. Exclusive access Hunter X
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and Saja Boy photo cards, but the battle doesn't stop
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at the menu. Every Saga Boy's breakfast meal and Hunter
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X meal comes with a collectible card pack consisting of
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an exclusive photo card for either Hunter X or the
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Saga Boys and a Dirty Access card. Fans can scan
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the QR code on each Dirty Access card and enter
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the unique code on the McDonald's app by April twenty
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sixth to unlock first access to exclusive content and a
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special reveal of the group that wins the battle for
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the fans. A rookie performance the Dirpy mcflurry one Sweet
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Rookie is also making its debut on the main stage.
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Say Hello to the Deep. Mcfluury, a brand new mcfluory
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flavor available a la carte that blends creamy vanilla soft
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serve with berry popping pearls enrobed in a wild berry sauce.
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Just like Dirby Tiger, It's impossible not to love no
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matter which side you pick. The stage is set, and
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on March thirty first, the battle begins. Whether you're a hunter,
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part of the pride, or still deciding, head to your
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local McDonald's or order McDelivery from the Couchcouch couch to
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try both meals and let your taste buds choose which
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side or you really on. The next article from the
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Lame Report is titled Affordable Senior housing development to open
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in Lexington. Woodlick Christian Church, in partnership with winter Wood
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Incorporated and CBS Health, will celebrate the grand opening of
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the Oaks at Woodland on March twenty sixth, marking the
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completion of a transformative project that preserves the church's historical
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sanctuary while addressing the critical need for affordable senior housing
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in Lexington. More than a year after breaking ground, the
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vision has become reality, combining the restoration of Woodland Christian
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Church's historic space with the creation of a thirty eight
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unit affordable housing community for seniors in the heart of downtown.
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Reverend Christy Joe Harbor, Senior Pastor of Woodland Christian Church,
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reflected on the milestone. What began as a vision rooted
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in faith and service has now come to life in
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a powerful way. The Oaks at Woodland represents not only
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a restoration of a historic space, but a renewal of
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our commitment to care for our neighbors. We are proud
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to open our doors and welcome a community where seniors
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can live with dignity, connection, and hope. The grand opening
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celebration will take place at ten o'clock a m On
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March twenty sixth in the church sanctuary at five three
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zero East High Street, with a ribbon cutting ceremony, guest speakers,
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and a time of fellowship with complementary coffee and pastries.
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The project stands as a model for how historic preservation
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and community development can work hand in hand to meet
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real needs. At Winterwood, we believe housing is the foundation
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of strong communities, and today we see that belief fully realized,
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said Zach Worsham, vice president of Winterwood Incorporated. The Oaks
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at Woodlands is more than a housing development. It's a
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place where residents will find stability, connection, and a true
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sense of home. CBS Health, an investor in the project,
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emphasized the broader impact of the development on health and
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well being. This is exactly the kind of community centered
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investment we strive to support, said Kelly Savage, head of
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Impact Investment Strategy CBS Health. Safe stable housing is directly
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connected to better health outcomes, and the Oaks at Woodland
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provides seniors with a place where they can age with dignity, security,
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and access to the support they need. Located at the
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historic Woodland Christian Church campus, the project bridge's past and future,
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transforming a beloved community landmark into a vibrant space for worship, gathering,
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and affordable living. As residents began moving in and the
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community prepares to celebrate its opening, the Oaks at Woodland
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stands as a beacon of hope, inclusivity, and thoughtful development
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in the heart of Lexington. The next article from the
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Lane Report is titled Toyota announces one billion dollars in
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investments across the commonwealth. In Indiana, it was nineteen eighty six.
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Bon Jovi and Madonna filled the airwaves. Hailey's comment whizzed overhead,
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and the Chicago Bears shuffled their way to a championship.
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Toyota also took a bold news step into US operations
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as it broke ground in Kentucky and set the stage
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for millions of vehicles rolling off the line, starting with
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the Toyota Camry Sedan. Today, Toyota celebrated forty years at
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its Kentucky plant, the company's largest manufacturing plant in the world.
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To commemorate the occasion, Toyota announced a one billion dollar
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investment across its Kentucky and Indiana operations, affirming the company's
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commitment to meet growing customer demand and offer a diverse
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vehicle lineup. The announcement is part of Toyota's November twenty
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twenty five commitment to invest up to ten billion dollars
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in the US plants over the next five years. Toyota's
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investment in the US is for the long term, tied
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to our philosophy of building where we sell and buying
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where we build, said Mark Templan, Executive vice president and
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chief operating officer of Toyota Motor North America. We have
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created a tremendous value chain. For nearly seventy years, our
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teams have contributed to world class design engineering. An assembly
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of more than thirty five million cars and trucks for
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our customers in the US. The investment includes one Toyota
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Kentucky eight hundred million dollars to further Toyota's multi pathway
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approach to electrification by preparing the plant for its second
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battery electric vehicle. The investment also allows the plant to
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increase capacity for the assembly of the Camry and RAV
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four two Toyota Indiana two hundred million dollars to increased
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capacity for the Grand Highlander, one of Toyota's most popular SUVs.
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With this investment, Grand Highlander joins the assembly of the
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family favorite Zna minivan in the facility's East plant, while
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continuing assembly alongside the Lexus TX in the West plant.
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Kentucky Governor Andy Basheer was all smiles celebrating with Toyota
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team members in the Bluegrass state. Kentucky changed for the
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better forty years ago when Toyota chose to make Georgetown
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its new Kentucky home, and I am beyond proud to
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say that partnership and success continue today as we celebrate
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this remarkable milestone together, said Governor Andy Basheer. Toyota Kentucky
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is Toyota's largest vehicle manufacturing plant in the world, producing
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over fourteen million vehicles since its store opened and benefiting
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Kentuckians through good jobs and a strong economy. We are
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grateful to our great Toyota partners and look forward to
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building on years of success for generations to come. Additionally,
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Toyota Kentucky announced millions in new grant funding, further solidifying
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the company's commitment to career readiness and community engagement. Million
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dollars supporting Driving Possibilities. The grant, awarded by the Toyota
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USA Foundation, supported by additional funds from Toyota Kentucky, will
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expand STEM learning and resources in Scott and Fayette County schools.
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When combined with the original Toyota USA Foundation grants, the
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total investment in the program is more than eleven million
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dollars in the Commonwealth. Driving Possibilities is a national STEM science, technology, engineering,
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and math education initiative that brings together community education leaders,
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local and national nonprofits, and industry partners. The aim of
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the initiative is to co create programs to strengthen communities
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and prepare young people for future careers. Driving Possibilities is
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funded by the Toyota USA Foundation, with additional support provided
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by Toyota Motor North America and Toyota Financial Services four
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hundred thousand dollars to support the Manufacturing Engineering program at
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Eastern Kentucky University, helping to advance the next generation workforce,
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a cornerstone of American manufacturing in jobs, Toyota has much
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to celebrate in twenty twenty six. Five of the company's
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US manufacturing facilities are making major anniversaries this year, including
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Toyota Kentucky with forty years, Toyota Missouri with thirty five years,
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Toyota Indiana with thirty years, Toyota West Virginia with thirty years,
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and Toyota Alabama with twenty five years. The next article
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from the Land Report is titled Kentucky Inspired THHC Alcoholic
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Beverage launches three flavors. The Real Cornbread Mafia TRCM Beverage
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brand is launching statewide, unveiling a bold, new THHC beverage
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inspired by Kentucky heritage and crafted for today's social gatherings.
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The Real Cornbread Mafia Beverage blends Kentucky's storytelling, distinctive flavors,
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and modern innovation to offer a contemporary alternative to alcohol.
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As interest in alcohol alternatives and hemp derived drinks surges,
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the brand offers a vibrant new way for people to relax, gather,
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and celebrate. Rooted in tradition, but designed for today. Rooted
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in Kentucky's spirit of independence and outlaw ingenuity, the Real
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Cornbread Mafia Beverage page tribute to the rebellious heritage that
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shape the region. By reimagining a legendary story for a
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new generation, the brand seamlessly connects the past to the present,
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reflecting Kentucky's evolving social rituals. The brand offers a beverage
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for those seeking a fresh way to gather and connect
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beyond conventional drinking culture. I've lived the story that inspired
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this brand, said Joe Keith Thicket, co founder. Being part
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of the original Cornbread Mafia means carrying a piece of
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Kentucky history with you. This beverage is about honoring that
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heritage while creating something fresh that reflects how people gather
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and celebrate today. Flavor profiles rooted in Southern tradition. Peachased tea.
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Peachased tea feels like summer in a glass, like sitting
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on the porch with loved ones while laughter floats on
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a warm Kentucky breeze. The gentle steeping brings out the
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teas aroma and smoothness, letting the ripe juicy peaches shine through.
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It's light, refreshing and made for good company. With just
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thirty calories in every can. Enjoy one, and if the
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moment's right, don't be shy to reach for another and
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enjoy the smooth five milligrams of Delta nine THHC Blueberry
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Dream lemonade. The folks behind the real Cornbread Mafia were
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farmers through and through. If you could grow it in Kentucky,
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they knew how to grow it. Blueberry Dream Lemonade tastes
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like a break in the shade after a long hot day,
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crisp tart lemonade with a splash of sweet blueberries. It's light,
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refreshing and made for good company with just thirty calories
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than every can. Every sip is bright, balanced and easy going,
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like sharing a cold drink with friends, complete with a
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smooth five milligrams of delta nine THHD grape berry cush soda.
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Ask anyone from rural Kentucky and they'll tell you a
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grape soda from the corner store with the ultimate treat
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in the seventies and eighties. Our grape Berry Cush Soda
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brings back that simple joy with bold grape flavor and
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classic soda sweetness, Now in a lighter, thirty calorie can.
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It's made for kicking back after a long day, sharing laughs,
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and enjoying smooth five milligrams THHC lift with a taste
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of good old times. The Real Cornbread Mafia Beverage joins
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the rapidly expanding THHC infused beverage category, catering to consumers
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seeking alternatives to alcohol. The brand reflects several key consumer trends,
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including one increased demand for alcohol alternatives, two rapid growth
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in THHC and HEYMP derived beverages, three story driven consumer
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brand rooted in culture and place, and four low calorie
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social beverages. The Real Cornbread Mafia Beverage will launch in
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select markets across Kentucky with retail placement, tasting events, and
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promotional activations designed to introduce the brand to consumer statewide.
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The next article comes from the March nineteenth, twenty twenty
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sixth edition of Business Lexington and is titled Developer Announces
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fourteen point one million dollar expansion at Fritz Farm. Fritz
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Farm will add more than thirty thousand square feet of
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retail and restaurant space as part of a fourteen point
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one million dollar expansion announced by Hendricks Commercial Properties. The
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project includes three new retail buildings totaling thirty thousand, three
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hundred eighty seven square feet, planned for the southeast corner
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of the fifty two acre mixed use development along Rowan,
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Finn and Harrison Roads. Construction is expected to begin in March,
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with shell delivery to tenants targeted for this December. This
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next phase of development reflects the continued momentum at Fritz Farm,
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said rob Gerbetz, CEO of Hendricks Commercial Properties. Consumers are
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looking for destinations that bring together shopping, dining, and experiences
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in one place. This expansion allows us to introduce new
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brands while continuing to elevate the overall experience for the
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Lexington community. The expansion continues Hendrix's long term strategy to
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develop remaining pads at the center while accommodating demand from
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national and lifestyle brands seeking space in the high traffic
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retail destination. The three buildings will measure twelve thousand, six
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hundred eight square feet, nine thousand, one hundred fifteen square
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feet and eight thousand, eight hundred sixty four square feet
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based in below Wisconsin. Hendrix Commercial Properties develops, owns, and
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manages mixed use and industrial properties across the United States.
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The next article comes from the March twenty fifth, twenty
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twenty six edition of the Louisville Courier Journal and is
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titled UPS withdrawals driver buy out option in thirteen States,
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What it means for Kentucky, Written by Olivia Evans. UPS.
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The shipping and logistics giant has withdrawn its voluntary separation program,
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a buyout offer for drivers in more than a dozen states,
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after initially announcing the program in January. The January voluntary
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separation program, called the Driver Choice Program, marked the second
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of its kind. UPS has offered employees in less than
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a year and was focused on full time drivers. The
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Career Journal previously reported during a January twenty seventh call,
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UPS said it plans to globally reduce operational positions by
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up to thirty thousand and closed more than twenty facilities
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across the company in twenty twenty six, and it expected
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to do this in part through buyouts. The International Brotherhood
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of Teamsters, the union representing more than three hundred thousand
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UPS workers nationwide, points wrongdoing to the way in which
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the buyouts were offered to drivers directly and circumvented policies
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and procedures put in place by the national labor agreement
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between the two entities. The union alleges that all incentive
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programs from UPS must be voted on and approved by
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employees in a union, and that the recent voluntary separation
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offers were not. The withdrawal of the voluntary separation program
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also follows a February lawsuit by the Teamsters that alleged
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the company violated the twenty twenty three labor contract with
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the employee buyout option. However, a Massachusetts judge rejected a
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request for injunction in February, allowing the company to move
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forward with buyouts. The Teamsters said in a March twenty
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fourth news release that UPS withdrew the offer after nearly
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thirty seven local unions filed grievances against the company alleging
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violation of the labor contract. The thirteen states where the
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offer has been withdrawn comprises the Teamsters Central Region, representing
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more than sixty eight thousand UPS workers and includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska,
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North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. According to the Teamsters,
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the buy out offer was a one time lump sum
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payment and would require drivers to never work for UPS again,
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to waive their rights to union representation, and to sacrifice
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a career's worth of strong union wages, employer paid healthcare,
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and guaranteed retirement benefits. Teamster local unions in the Central
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Region have raised strong opposition to the Driver Choice Program
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and have demanded that UPS not offer the DCP to drivers.
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We do not agree with the union's position. We believe
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the DCP complies with our contract and it has been
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well received by our US drivers around the country, a
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UPS spokesperson said in an email to The Career Journal.
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We've engaged in discussions with the local unions in the
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Central Region regarding driver participation, and in some areas those
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conversations continue. The Teamsters said this withdrawal will undermine UPS's
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ability to pursue buyouts in other regions protected by the
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twenty twenty three National Master Agreement. By pulling out of
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more than a dozen states, UPS has conceded that its
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buyout programs are illegal. These programs violate the Teamster's contract
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and UPS knows it. Teamster's general president Sean O'Brien said
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in a news release, the Teamsters strongly urge UPS to
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take the next right step and dismantle its Driver's Choice
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program across the country. The next article from the Courier
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Journal is titled discount shoe retailer Zappos permanently closes Louisville
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stores written by Olivia Evans Attention discount is shoe shopping fanatics.
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The two Louisville area Zappo's stores have permanently closed. The
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outlet powered by Zappos at nine one zero one Minor
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Lane permanently closed effective December twenty fourth, twenty twenty five,
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according to a flyer posted on the doors at the
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Las Vegas based shoe and clothing retailer. The closing notice
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also said shoppers could continue your shopping adventure at the
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Zappo's unboxed location inside the Mall at Saint Matthew's. However,
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as of March, the Zappo's location at the mall five
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thousand Shelbyville Road has also permanently closed. As of March nineteenth,
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Zappo's Unboxed had all of its signage removed from the
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exterior of the mall and the interior of what used
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to be a shoe and clothing store, and was undergoing
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an active demo. Zappos did not respond to multiple requests
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for comment from The Courier Journal. The outlet powered by
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Zappos in South Louisville opened and twenty nineteen after it
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moved from a previous location in Shepherdsville. The Courier Journal
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previously reported. However, in twenty twenty two, the thirteen thousand
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square foot store, which sold discontinued shoes, handbags, jewelry and
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clothing from the company that opened in nineteen ninety nine
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as an online retailer, announced it with close. Then in
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twenty twenty four, the outlet powered by Zappos reopened at
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its Minor Lane location near Okhona and Fairdale, only to
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last another year before closing once more in December of
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twenty twenty five. The Zappos Unboxed at Mallett Saint Matthew's
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first opened in April of twenty twenty one, The eighteen thousand,
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seven hundred and fifty square foot store sold Zappos dot
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Com products coupled with interactive experiential elements representative of the
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famously fun brand. The Career Journal previously reported the store
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carried brands including Vans, Puma, New Balance, Adidas, and Doc Martin's.
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Other brands include Kate Spade, Ralph Lauren, and north Face,
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selling them at a reduced rate. It's unclear what may
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be opening inside the former Zappo's unboxed at the mall
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at Saint Matthew's. The next article comes from the March
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twenty fifth, twenty twenty sixth edition of Louisville Business First
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and is titled Louisville Slugger Museum parent rebrands Bourbon Attraction,
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written by Stephen Schmidt. The building with the iconic Big
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Bat has a new name for its tasting room, Big
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Bat Bourbon. Earlier today, a rebranded and refurbished tasting room
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attached to the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory opened its stores,
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intentionally holding a ribbon cutting on the same day as
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the opening night of Major League Baseball. The two thousand
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square foot barrels and Billet's Experience opened February of twenty
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twenty two at eight hundred West Main Street. Before that,
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it was largely unused space in the factory on the
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corner of West Main and South eighth Streets for about
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two years. Though the leadership team at Hillaric and Bradsby Company,
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the parent company of the factory but not the Louisville
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Slugger brand, and the owner of the tasting room, had
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discussed the name change and a rebrand. We wanted to
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be aligned with our sister attraction of the Louisville Slugger
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Museum in Factory, Andrews. Soliday told Business First. Soliday serves
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as the marketing director for Hillaric and Bradsby. Soliday said
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the biggest impetus for changing the venue's name was the
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popularity of the Bourbon in Bat's ticket, which for fifty
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dollars gives access to the museum and bourbon attraction. The
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tasting room hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from eleven
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am to six pm, Friday and Saturday from eleven am
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to seven pm, and Sunday one pm to six pm.
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This concludes the reading of the most recent business news
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in Lexington Louisville and around the state. Your reader today
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has been Julia Shane. If you have any questions or
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comments about this program, please give our Lexington Studios a
28:11
call at eight five nine four two two six three
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nine zero. Thanks for listening, and now please stay tuned
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for readings from the Kentucky series here on Radio I