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Tuesday, May 01, 2012

Fortneys find end of rainbow in Kingsport

19 years ago, Phillis & Dick Fortney opened Rainbow’s End floral shop in Downtown Kingsport.  Without fanfare, they’ve come to work every day and built a thriving business, day after day, year after year.  Did you know they’re a “Move to Kingsport” story?  The Fortneys relocated from Western Pennsylvania years before there was formal program to recruit newcomers.  Not only did they move their business to Downtown Kingsport, they bought a house in the Church Circle radial streets neighborhood.  Their son, Wayne, followed suit and bought a home just on the other side of Broad Street.  And he created a business of his own, Adventure Time Ballooning, that grew out of Kingsport’s Fun Fest.  All of the Fortneys are consummate ambassadors for Kingsport and deserve our thanks and recognition.

Drumroll please….this month’s Downtown Kingsport Cash Mob will be at….Rainbow’s End Floral on Thursday May 3.  We ask that you “mob” them by dropping by and spending at least $20.  This is a very tangible way to say ‘thanks’ for being Downtown.  We want the Fortneys to feel the love of our community and our support for their business.

Here’s how you can help:

#1: send a simple note of encouragement & thanks to phillis214@aol.com
#2: join the group at 5:30 @ Center/Commerce and walk to Rainbow’s End together
#3: drop by any time on Thursday and make a purchase
#4: call-in a floral order or send it to someone else (to make THEIR day!) www.rainbowsendfloral.com

I’ll never forget the first impression that Phillis made on my wife and me. We used to walk downtown during our lunch hour and we dropped in to check out the new floral shop.  Phillis’ infectious smile and sweet disposition can’t help but warm your heart.  I’ve never known a time in the 19 years since that she hasn’t been smiling and bubbly.

Please join me in thanking them for their investment by giving a little something back to them this Thursday.

Jeff

Tilden J. Fleming, AICP
Assistant City Manager for Development
Kingsport, Tennessee
423.229.9381 (desk/cell)


Location, Location, Location

Location, Location, Location
www.MoveToKingsport.com is located on the Tennessee-Virginia border at the crossroads of I-81 and I-26 near the geographic center of the Eastern U.S. This city of 50,000 in a metro of 308,000, was planned by renowned American planner John Nolen in his office at Harvard Square. Located in the lush green foothills of the Tennessee Valley, it is surrounded by the Southern Highlands and mountain lakes. Kingsport is home to Marriott’s www.MeadowViewResort.com and thousands of acres of unique, natural amenities at Bays Mountain and Warriors Path Parks. The natural geography provides a temperate, well-balanced climate with four seasons and a natural shelter from extreme weather. Population growth has also been well-balanced, ensuring you will not outgrow your decision to relocate. With no personal property taxes, special assessments, or state income taxes on salaries/wages, you’ll find that Kingsport has a very low cost of living coupled with an exceptionally high quality of life (see for yourself at www.BestPlaces.net). The regional airport (TRI) has direct flights to Atlanta, Charlotte, Orlando and St. Pete/Clearwater with easy access, parking, and virtually no security lines. The public education system was planned by Columbia University and Newsweek has repeatedly recognized the local high school as one of the best in America. Year in and year out our graduates go on to the top colleges and universities (and without costly private school tuition fees). Harvard also recognized Kingsport in 2009 with the Innovations in American Government Award for its higher education initiative. What are you waiting for? It’s time to leave the high costs, traffic jams, and stress behind and discover this hidden gem.