Inaugural Biz After Hours at the Harvester
06.19.2025 - Last night marked a significant milestone in our community as we hosted our first Chamber of Commerce event at The Harvester in Downtown Smithville—a harmonious gathering designed for businesses and residents to connect. As someone who has lived here my entire life, I was genuinely amazed by the diversity of attendees. People from all over the county, country, and even the world came together, and it filled me with joy to see such a vibrant mix of backgrounds and stories.
The energy in the room was magnetic, with conversations flowing between individuals from places like Australia, Florida, California, Colorado, Canada, Minnesota, and Armenia. It was a reminder of the vibrant spirit that radiates from Smithville and DeKalb County. Despite sometimes feeling overwhelmed by the divisiveness in the world, this event embodied love, outreach, and community connection. It felt like a long-awaited celebration of our shared commitment to inclusivity.
The evening ran smoothly, with delicious local food provided by nearby restaurants and the Harvester bar staff provided a fantastic bar service featuring local craft beers. The live music from Raniece and her duo enveloped us in soul music that truly resonated with everyone's heart. The presentations from the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce showcased the potential for growth and collaboration in our community.
A heartfelt thanks to Emily Bell and Shara Adcock, as well as Randy Caldwell, for their hard work in organizing this event, along with all the local merchants who lent their support. We are truly blessed to have a community that values connection and collaboration. Representatives from both the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree and Off the Beaten Path were in attendance as well.
This event was sophisticated yet warm, a perfect reflection of what Smithville embodies: a beautiful, uncomplicated, and loving community. For those who didn’t attend, you missed a golden opportunity to meet some incredible newcomers and fellow residents. I urge everyone to come out to future events—there’s so much to gain from connecting with your neighbors.
Another Chamber of Commerce “Biz After Hours” is planned for September 11th - details forthcoming. I would like to extend an invitation to our city and county leadership. Their presence can help reinforce the importance of the local business community. We hope to see more engagement from our elected officials in the future, as their support is crucial for our growth.
With that said, it was good to see Beth Chandler, Tony Luna, and Jessica Higgins at The Harvester along with the entire Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Thanks to Cheryl and Steve Jones from Cheryl’s Beau Bees, Tami Studer from Cafe Healthy-Ish, and The Cookie Tree for providing the food for the evening.
In closing, I am thrilled to be part of this expanding community, witnessing the growth while maintaining our cherished local traditions. It is crucial that we embrace new residents, as they are here to stay and contribute to the fabric of Smithville. Let us all open our arms wider and extend our warmth to those who choose to call this wonderful place home.
Let’s continue to foster this spirit of community—Smithville is on the move, and together, we can make it even better! Thank you to everyone who attended, and to those who missed out: don’t let the next opportunity pass you by.
Up next: join us at the Harvester for an Alt 80's Tribute Night featuring RAYGUN on Friday, 8/1, and explore our downtown even more at the Historic Downtown Smithville Fourth Annual Art Walk on Friday, 9/19. Stay tuned as we have new event announcements coming soon, and stay up-to-date' with all the events in the Bert Driver Network (Nursery, Burlap Room, and the Harvester) by signing up for our ‘The Local Vibe Newsletter - released the first Tuesday of the month, straight to your inbox! And don’t forget the Harvester is for rent: corporate events and parties, weddings, receptions, graduations, baby showers, or whatever you’re celebrating, we host ‘em all! Contact us for more information, and check us out on Wedding Wire or The Knot!
