The Smith County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome new member, Tri Star Land Improvement, LLC., a custom land clearing and maintenance business. Their services can enhance your property with trails to fully immerse you in the health and beauty of your land. They can restore and maintain your farm, home or commercial property with underbrush removal, field and pasture reclamation, site prep and storm clean-up. Pictured are Rick Garrels, owner of Tri Star Land Improvement, and Braden Garrels. Tri Star Land Improvement can be emailed at [email protected] and found on Facebook by searching @TriStarLand.

    “Tri Star Land Improvement, LLC is a family owned and operated land maintenance service. The services we provide are reclaiming overgrown properties with forestry mulching and extreme brush cutting equipment, capable of clearing up to 10 years of growth. We also take care of regular pasture or field maintenance with a tractor and bush hog.

      Our customers are private landowners who want to open up the natural features of their property that are being choked by brush and unwanted foliage or who desire to clear a spot for future building sites. We also cater to residential and commercial real estate companies that want to spruce up a property to sell.

     We plan to add additional services as we grow, so call with your unique need, and we will do our best to take care of you within your budget. Contact Rick Garrels at 615-489-6431 or Braden Garrels at 615-483-7719.

      Being a part of the Smith County Chamber is important to us, as we want to be a part of and contribute to our community.”

• Rick Garrels

          Tri Star Land Improvement

On Saturday, May 19, the Smith County Chamber of Commerce welcomed its newest member by hosting a Ribbon Cutting at the Grand Opening of Tennessee Kayak & Outdoor Company. Pictured with Chamber Director, Bill Woodard, is owner Brad Smith. Tennessee Kayak & Outdoor Company located at 510 Main Street North in Carthage offers van & trailer shuttle service for up to 14 per van and up to 28 per group for daily float trips on the Caney Fork and Cumberland Rivers. They offer kayak and canoe rentals for half and full days, as well as specialty trips in the area. Transport service is available if you own your own gear and just need shuttle service. Special rates for group outings such as church, civic and employee groups. A full line outdoor store, you will find camping, fishing and hiking gear such as backpacks, tents and camp stoves. They have all the snacks, food and drinks you might need for anything outdoors.  They offer several styles of t-shirts and logo hats that are produced here in Smith County.  They carry Xero brand outdoor footwear for men and women. Xero specializes in outdoor footwear- everything from sandals, hiking shoes and boots, running shoes and even men’s dress shoes. They are great for anyone who may be suffering from back, leg or foot pain. Tennessee Kayak & Outdoor Co. offers water shoes, coolers and so much more. They are also a Rhino propane tank dealer.  Attending the Ribbon Cutting were Anthony Apple, Citizens Bank:  Matt Watts, Karen Hackett, Smith County Bank; Donnie Dennis, Carthage Mayor, Scott Oliver, Citizens Bank; Brady Smith, Cate Smith, Linda Smith, Calvin Smith, Deneshia Smith Jackson, Lexi Jackson, Cole Jackson, Jamie Daley, Dustin Miller, Thom Ellis, Brad Smith, Tennessee Kayak & Outdoor Company; Bill Woodard, Smith County Chamber of Commerce, David Anderson, Gramps Travel; Bill Williamson, ProtectStor.

Originally from Red Boiling Springs, Brad moved to the Cookeville area after high school and graduated from Tennessee Tech University with a degree in Business Marketing. He always felt the desire to get back to that small-town life and the outdoors that he learned to love as a kid growing up on a farm, the son of a logger and being active in Boy Scouts. An avid and lifelong explorer of the outdoors, water activities and hiking are in his blood. In his youth, he was a lifeguard and a swimmer and paddler all over parts of Tennessee.  After 20 years in the advertising sales business, he felt God was leading him to a different season in his life, one where he got back to his roots and would allow he and his children, Brady and Cate, to work together and be a positive influence on others. Being a lover of the rivers, lakes and trails in the area, he knew there were sections of the Caney Fork and Cumberland Rivers that very few leisure paddlers had ever been exposed to. Knowing Smith County, Carthage and Gordonsville, he felt led that they could see the coming growth and a need for more catered outdoor activities that would allow area residents and visitors to explore and learn more about the natural beauty of Smith County. With prayer, faith and an enormous amount of help from his family and friends, city and county officials and special friend and fellow hiker, paddler and Carthage resident, Jamie Daley, and her family – Tennessee Kayak and Outdoor Company was born.

For your next river trip, hike or any outdoor need you may have, give them a call at 615-735-7995. You can find them on Facebook and get more information on their website tnkayak.com. The Smith County Chamber of Commerce encourages visiting our local businesses. Keep more money in our local economy. Celebrate the uniqueness of our community. Support local jobs. Make Smith County a destination!

The Smith County Chamber of Commerce hosted a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on March 23^rd for new chamber member, Ace Hardware. Ace Hardware recently opened at 531 Industrial Drive in Carthage. This store is owned by Melvin Grace, a Hermitage Springs developer. Grace also owns Ace Hardware stores in Lafayette, Tennessee, Scottsville and Edmonton, Kentucky. This newly renovated space was at one time the home of Dollar City, which was also owned by Mr. Grace. The Grace family has owned the neighboring Save-A-Lot store for approximately 30 years. Ace Hardware’s Carthage store hours are 7am – 7pm Monday thru Saturday and Sundays 10 am – 5 pm. The store and be reached by phone at 615-588-1900.

In attendance for Ace Hardware’s Ribbon Cutting were Chris Ferrell – Farm Credit Mid-America, Jim Hebert -The Candy Bar, Carthage Mayor Donnie Dennis, Melvin Grace – Store Owner, Diane Skelton -Smith County Bank, Pat Nixon- Smith County Bank,  Greg Clements -Store Manager, Karen Hackett -Smith County Bank, Bill Woodard -Smith County Chamber of Commerce, Shannon Lane -Ace Hardware Team Member, Andy West -Wilson Bank & Trust, Smith County Mayor Michael Nesbitt and Seth Dillehay -J.M. Insurance.

The Smith County Chamber of Commerce welcomes new member, Fred Bradley of Blackwell Realty and Auction in Lebanon, Tennessee. Mr. Bradley has been in the Nashville area for 18 years and was in the in the IT industry for over 25 years before joining Blackwell Realty and Auction. With a background of attention to detail and the ability to “think outside the box”, he is devoted to taking the time to listen and learn about his clients’ needs, wants and desires. He studies the market to help clients when they are buying or selling. He uses innovative marketing plans and buying/selling techniques. He is always ready to work for his clients and deliver on his motto: “Results.  Not promises.”  Contact Fred Bradley for your real estate needs. His office at Blackwell Realty and Auction is located at 3080 Leeville Pike in Lebanon. Fred may be reached in the office at 615-444-0072 or on his cell phone at 615-519-0229. He may also be reached by email at [email protected]. 

To learn more about the Smith County Chamber of Commerce or how you can become a chamber member, please visit 

www.smithcountychamber.org,  call 615-735-2093 or visit our offices at 939 Upper Ferry Road in Carthage. We encourage everyone to support our local businesses!

The Smith County Chamber of Commerce welcomes new member, Hassler Law Firm. Hassler Law Firm is located at 226 Main Street North in Carthage, on the second floor of the Bass & Bass Building. the Hassler Law Firm is a general practice firm that serves the Upper Cumberland. The firm’s areas of practice include Business Formation, Contracts, Estates, Landlord/Tenant, Mediation, Probate, Real Estate, School Law, Social Security/Disability, and Wills.

Jeremy Hassler started his career as an educator after graduating from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education.  He later earned his Master of Arts in Instructional Leadership from the same university.  During his stint as a teacher, he taught 8th-12th grade Social Studies both in the classroom and in an on-line environment.  He also spent several years assisting high school marching bands as a drum major coach, assistant director, and a semester as an interim-director. After teaching for a time, he decided to go back to school and attended the Nashville School of Law.  Upon graduation, he was awarded the Founder’s Award for obtaining the highest GPA in his graduating class. Originally from Crossville, Jeremy and his wife Kristi (a Smith County native) reside in Carthage with their two daughters and infant son.

The Smith County Chamber of Commerce welcomes new member Gordonsville Counseling & Play Therapy located in Suite D at 14 Main Street E. in Gordonsville. Dayna Sykes LPC-S MHSP, is a Licensed Therapist specializing in teen mood and anxiety issues and childhood problems. She received her B.S.W. in Social Work at Middle Tennessee State University in 2002 and attended Argosy University where she obtained her M.A. in Professional Counseling and completed requirements for license in Professional Counseling in 2010. She left a position as Clinical Consultant to focus on family and began building her private practice. In 2015, she began honing her skills in play therapy and worked with a Licensed Supervisor to obtain requirements for her certification as a Registered Play Therapist. She is currently working towards completing the education requirements for this certification and offering play therapy sessions as part of her direct contact requirements. Specialties include ADHD, Anger Management, Anxiety, Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, Depression, Emotional Disturbance, Family Conflict, School Issues, Self Esteem and Stress. Empowering Teen Girls Group for girls ages 13+ starts April 12th. Enrollment is now open for the Parent Coaching Group that will focus on skill building for parents with behaviorally challenging children.  For more information on services offered visit Gordonsville Counseling & Play Therapy on Facebook, visit www.daynasykeslpc.com or call 615-683-1111.

The Smith County Chamber of Commerce welcomes chamber member, Waggoner Building. Located at 115 Main Street in South Carthage, the Waggoner Building houses six office suite rentals. Basic utilities such as, water, electricity, high speed wi-fi and security monitoring are all included in the monthly rental amounts. All Suites have a shared bathroom and kitchen.  The Waggoner Building opened in December of 1965. It was built by John and Ruby Waggoner and operated as the headquarters of Waggoner Oil Company for more than 30 years.  In 2015, Joey, the grandson of the Waggoners, and his wife, Russti, purchased the building with the hope and dream of restoring it and bringing growth to the heart of South Carthage. For more information or to inquire about the availability of office suites, please call 615-418-6577 or visit [email protected].

The Smith County Chamber of Commerce welcomes new member ProtecStor and its owner, Bob Williamson. ProtecStor is a self-storage business located at 342 E Market Street in Bolivar, Tennessee, with both climate controlled and dry storage units. Mr. Williamson is a new resident to Smith County; splitting his time between Smith County and Hardeman County, in West Tennessee. Bob has joined the Smith County Chamber of Commerce to become better acquainted with the community, explore opportunities to extend his self-storage business and contribute to community development. Mr. Williamson feels that Smith County is ideally located for both rural quality of life and a thriving economy. Bob and his wife have developed two idle and vacant commercial properties in Bolivar, Tennessee into successful ventures. They are owners/partners in a commercial space for offices and retail. His wife is also the owner/operator of a cosmetics studio and hair salon in Bolivar. More information on ProtecStor can be found online at www.protecstor.biz.