Introduce yourself (your name, where you're from, what you do)
Hey guys, Mark Leavell here, coming to you from historic downtown Red Key, Indiana. Uh, southwest part of Jay County, about halfway between Portland and Muncie Indiana, We're a small town, just over 1000 people kind of the same as a lot of other small towns around, had a heyday back in the early 1900s, things were still good back when I was a kid. Things were going on downtown. Things kind of dried up for a while and we're trying to bring things back to life in Red Key and Jay County, several small stores that are coming back into the downtown's. Different than what the traditional grocery store, drug store, things like that, that you would see a lot of antique specialty stores. We got a blacksmith shop across the road, mid century modern store down the street. About 5.5 years ago, we decided to join in that excitement. We bought 100 year old building. Um, we call it a variety store. We have a little bit of everything, more unique items. We can find some good deals. We opened it up to vendors about three years ago and we filled our vendor space up, had to add in a little bit more extra room in the back room. Uh, things are going really well for us. And also just recently gave up my full time employment um, and started expanding the hours here at our store and also working as a realtor for Jack Houck Real Estate. So looking forward to introducing you to our county. What we have to offer great small town feel everybody knows everybody. Everybody is really helpful. One of the things that always stood out to me about our little town.
What part of town do you live in and what do you love about your neighborhood?
So what part of town did I grow up in and where we live now? Well, we grew up about four or five blocks that way from downtown. I spent a lot of time with the old firehouse there. I'm a volunteer fireman and most recently led about five blocks that way on the other side of town. Uh, just recently moved from there, out to a spot out in the country, nice little quiet spot. Great thing about Red Key. Always helpful people will help you whenever the need arises. Always been fond of our little town.
What's a must-do event or activity that remote workers should experience in their first year?
Must do events and places to go. Just right here in downtown, we've added a Red Key Gas Boom Days. Used to be, um, a tribute to the gas boom of the late 1800s, early 1900s. Right here in downtown, we fill the streets, have some live music, some vendors, lots of fun activities and games. A couple of other things. As you look over my shoulder here, uh, we've got the Valhalla Ax Hall, we got the Red Key Blacksmiths and of course, our wonderful little store Red Key Junction.
