St Matthews Magazine May 2026

SWEET SUCCESS

PUBLISHER COREY BOSTON corey@townepost.com (502) 407-0185

CONTRIBUTORS

MELISSA GIBSON GAVIN LAPAILLE CARRIE VITTITOE

TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. FOUNDER, CEO TOM BRITT tom@townepost.com (317) 496-3599 PRESIDENT JEANNE BRITT jeanne@townepost.com (317) 810-0011

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER ERIN TURK

CREATIVE DIRECTORS VAL AUSTIN TONI EADS

EDITOR JOSH BROWN

DIGITAL CONTENT MANAGER ERIC NEER

TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. 8800 North Street, Suite 117 Fishers, IN 46038 Phone/Text: (317) 810-0011

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Sean and Dion Roberson liked going to Cinnaholic so much, they decided to open their own. While living in Atlanta, the husband-and-wife duo discovered the bakery known for its “create your own” cinnamon rolls and made it one of their go-to stops. After moving back to Louisville, they knew they had to bring the concept home.

SWEET SUCCESS

CINNAHOLIC BRINGS CUSTOM TREATS TO LOUISVILLE

now more than 100 Cinnaholic locations spread out across the country, serving fresh-baked products that are 100% vegan while free of dairy, lactose, egg and cholesterol.

coming in, the menu can get overwhelming seeing all the customizations and options,” Sean says. “Ultimately, they land on the Old Skool, which is just your basic cinnamon roll. Besides that, if someone wants something with toppings, they go with the Cookie Monster. It’s pretty rich, and it’s my favorite. I can see why people love it.”

“We are both from Louisville, born and raised,” Sean says. “We discovered Cinnaholic in Atlanta, and it became our number one dessert option. We always had the intention to move back to Louisville eventually. When we did, we wanted to bring this to where we are from so people can experience what we experienced. That was really our motivation. We wanted to bring Cinnaholic back home.”

Cinnaholic is a national franchise started in Berkeley, California, in 2010 that quickly became a local favorite and was even featured on ABC’s “Shark Tank.” There are

The menu includes a variety of frostings and toppings, all made with the highest-quality ingredients. Customers can design their own special cinnamon roll or choose from one of the selected signature rolls, which include Cookie Monster, Campfire S’mores, Caramel Apple Pie and the classic Old Skool Roll.

Sean says Cookie Monster, which features cream cheese frosting topped with homemade chocolate chip cookie dough, chocolate chips and chocolate sauce, is his personal favorite, with many new customers opting for the more traditional Old Skool Roll on their first visit.

“For most people, if it’s their first time

Sean and Dion’s location is the first Cinnaholic in Kentucky and is in the heart of St. Matthews at 4204 Shelbyville Road near Hubbards Lane. Cinnaholic will also feature Sean’s other business venture, West Lou Coffee, with brownies, cookies and more also available.

“The St. Matthews area made sense because we are familiar with Shelbyville Road and the mall,” Sean says. “There’s a lot of people who live in that area and shop and eat. We wanted our first business to be in an area that is a destination for people who live in and around Louisville.”

The store had its grand opening in August, offering guests discounted $2 rolls, and has

grown rapidly from there.

“Our grand opening was pretty wild,” Dion says. “We had a lot of things going on and some roadblocks we were able to work through. I want to give a shoutout to our customer base for coming out. They were all so supportive and nice during that time

and allowed us grace as we ramped up with a brand-new team and concept. There was a lot that went into those first few weeks, and we still have had great reception. Now we have our regular customers who come for dietary needs. They either are vegan or plant-based or just can’t have dairy or lactose. It’s really been good to have this

concept here for folks to enjoy regardless of their dietary restrictions.”

Cinnaholic wants its reach to go beyond its store. They also cater special events, and Dion says she hopes to grow that part of the business.

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“We’ve done a few corporate events and weddings,” Dion says. “We try to make that experience exceptional for whatever the reason is. We work with our customers on what their needs are. We have options to deliver or do setup. We would love the opportunity to cater and spread the product to as many people as possible.”

Sean says he also sees an opportunity to visit customers who may have a harder time getting to the current physical location.

“We traveled to a few events last year, and it was eye-opening how many people showed up for us,” Sean says. “A lot of these people can’t get to St. Matthews as easily and are happy to see us and purchase items. It made

me think we need to invest in a mobile way to get to more people.”

The couple says it took about a year for the concept to fully get off the ground, and they’ve already learned a great deal about the process and each other. Both want all of their customers to have a great experience when visiting.

“This should be a very fun establishment,” Dion says. “That’s probably been the biggest learning curve for me. While we are running a business, we need to ensure we’re having fun with the process so it’s a great experience for the customer from when they walk into the front door to when they leave.”

“We’re treating our customers how we like to be treated, and it’s showing up,” Sean says. “People are writing good reviews because we are making sure they are getting what they’re asking for. We can go above and beyond with giving them a smile and a greeting and knowing our frequent customers. If you just be yourself and are a good person, you can give great service to someone and they’ll come back.”

Cinnaholic is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information on Cinnaholic, check out cinnaholic.com or call 502-365-4119.

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STORYTELLING NIGHT

GROWN-UP STORY TIME 502 BUILDS COMMUNITY THROUGH SHARED STORIES

We all have at least one great story we tell. Maybe yours is about a blind date that went nowhere fast, or perhaps you met a famous person once. One that I sometimes tell is about when I got tossed out of Cardinal Stadium for public intoxication right after I turned 21 years old. [Let the record show that I developed a two-drink limit and swore off vodka after that particular hangover.]

The stories we tell are sometimes funny, sometimes sad. Some of them give others a small window into our souls, while others show who we used to be once and left behind. Listening to other people’s stories can be a form of entertainment as much as a lesson in humanity’s triumphs and foibles.

Both Abby and Katy have backgrounds in theater. Abby lived in Houston, Texas, for many years and was part of a theater group that started a similar concept of live storytelling.

Abby Koenig and Katy Hopkins are both so passionate about the power of storytelling that they created Grown-Up Story Time 502 in

2023, a monthly storytelling event in which writers and non-writers submit their personal stories, which are then read by others in front of a live audience.

“It was a little more theatrical out there; people would get dressed up and play roles. It was really just to hear your writing from someone else’s perspective,” she says.

Katy earned a degree in theater and lived in

New York City, gaining experience directing performances.

“I became increasingly passionate about theater’s ability to amplify voices and stories that are not typically heard,” she says, and that’s something she loves about Grown-Up Story Time 502.

If you’ve heard of The Moth, you have an

idea of what Grown-Up Story Time 502 is like, but there are distinct differences. For one thing, GrownUp Story Time is not competitive, so there is no pressure to win or worry if you run over the allotted time.

Abby has experience as a dramatic writer and says, “If you don’t feel comfortable with your writing, you’re probably not going to submit [to The Moth]. And if you don’t like reading, forget it; you’re not going to do it,” she says. Not every person who writes also likes to read what they wrote aloud to an audience.

Abby says Grown-Up Story Time can be a useful tool for writers because they get to hear something they wrote read by other people who, through their performance, may put a different spin on the words and what they mean. Sometimes a writer may realize they need to change their story to better reflect their intentions.

Not every person who writes a story

for Grown-Up Story Time considers themselves a writer, which shouldn’t prevent anyone from submitting a story.

“For the most part, we try to stay true to the writing that we get as long as it fits the theme and doesn’t go too long,” Abby says. “If it runs over 10-12 minutes, I’ll go back to the writer. If stories go too long, people tune out, and that’s not fair to anybody involved.”

Anyone who has told a story to a friend has the potential to share their story at GrownUp Story Time 502. Abby often encourages people who have a good story to tell theirs aloud to themselves or a friend while recording it on their phone. The transcript of that story is the type of story that GrownUp Story Time is looking for.

Each month, Grown-Up Story Time 502 announces its theme or prompt for the month. Past themes have included “Best Laid Plans,” “Family Secrets,” “Beginnings/ Endings,” and “Food,” so they are broad enough that the stories encompass many

directions, styles and tones.

Katy says the Derby-themed stories have been especially impactful and bring in voices from all over the city.

“I particularly love the stories that are submitted that have a sense of place and really root us in Kentucky,” she says. Some stories explain how the writers landed in Kentucky or share a slice of their life further afield in the state.

Both Abby and Katy serve as co-hosts of the monthly event, which for the past year or so have been taking place at West Sixth Brewing. Readers are invited on stage to perform the stories that have been submitted, but attendees who come to hear stories will also have the chance to write a very short story (1-3 sentences) if they want.

“We encourage audience members over the course of the evening to complete a prompt and put them in a basket. They’re

anonymously submitted, and we read them between the stories,” Katy says.

The feel of a Grown-Up Story Time event is very casual.

“When we moved to West Sixth, we hoped to encourage people to drop in. It’s wonderful when we have a full audience that sticks with us, but we also want people to feel comfortable to come in, stay for a story and then leave if they’ve got somewhere else to go,” Katy says.

While Grown-Up Story Time 502 isn’t R- or X-rated, the stories are often about adult issues and reflections, so it’s not an event that children would find appealing.

When Abby and Katy began Grown-Up Story Time 502, Abby was looking to come out of the COVID-19 funk, feel better about life and get motivated to write. Her reasons were personal, but she has discovered that the people who listen to the stories gain a sense of solidarity and community.

“Every time I’m like, ‘Why are we doing this? This is so much work,’ someone will come up to me after the event and say, ‘This is my favorite night of the month,’” Abby says.

“We’ve definitely had people come up and thank us for the community service. That isn’t something that Abby and I would have labeled it, but it is something that people identify it as. It is a community service to give voice to people around everyday things,” Katy says. Plus, hearing stories reminds people of their common humanity. “It’s a nice reminder that we have quite a bit in common with each other,” Katy says. “It is a respite from the typical dialogue we can get caught up in on social media.”

Whether you are interested in attending an event as an audience member or would like to read or write as part of Grown-Up Story Time 502, you can find each month’s prompts and event updates on Facebook and Instagram.

Rooted Art

GREATER LOUISVILLE BONSAI SOCIETY CONTINUES TO GROW

Russ Stevens, president of the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society, can explain.

“Nomads from the Arabian Peninsula would travel with spices and began growing these plants in containers. China adopted the practice of ‘training trees’ or penjing, but it wasn’t until after World War II in the 1950s that the Japanese really took what China was doing and have since redefined the practices that we use today,” Stevens says.

Today, bonsai plants are associated with mindfulness and meditation, artistic expression, environmental awareness, community and connection.

Even though the Louisville Bonsai Society was founded more than 50 years ago, Stevens says the U.S. is still behind when it comes to bonsai, with interest only spreading over the past 75 years or so.

“Our primary goal in the society is to increase awareness for bonsai and to educate any individual interested in how to be successful in growing and developing their plants,” Stevens says.

The word bonsai simply means “grown in a container,” and while the stereotype might put one image in our minds, there are actually hundreds of variations. We test it

Some are outdoor only; others are outdoor in the summer and need to come inside during the winter. Some grow in the ground; others are considered tropical and can’t tolerate frost.

In the beginning, plant enthusiasts are simply learning how to keep their bonsai alive.

“We are able to accelerate their growth by using specialty soil and other things, but the design and styling of a bonsai come many years down the road, when the tree or plant is

around five to eight years old,” Stevens says. “There has to be enough branches to use some and remove some to create the art.”

Stevens teaches classes at a local nursery in Louisville and says it’s all according to what you’re looking for. Some customers want to start at the very beginning; others want to start with a mature tree, ready for design.

To purchase a tree that “looks good” can be costly, considering the time and money that went into it. Stevens says there’s a list

of guidelines one uses to create and design and that they determine the artistic value of the plant.

“One of the guidelines talks about tapering; leaving a larger bottom and skinnier as it gets taller. Foliage placement is very important as well,” Stevens says.

Those interested in learning more can attend a monthly meeting of the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society at the Waterfront Botanical Gardens. There is an overview

with general information, a directed discussion or workshop based on the season and a ‘beginner’s corner’ for those looking for first steps.

“We cater to all interest and knowledge levels. Bonsai is a regional thing. If it’s within three hours of you, that’s considered close, so we have around 80 members in 2026, but some of them live in neighboring states, so each meeting has around 25 people in attendance,” Stevens says.

For bonsai enthusiasts, becoming a member for $35 per year can be worth the distance.

In its fourth year, Stevens says the event continues to grow.

A committee is currently approving or declining trees submitted by members of the society to exhibit in the show, and Jennifer Price, professional guest artist, will be on hand to judge the 45 to 50 regional bonsai on display.

“We’ll have demonstrations and workshops throughout the weekend. We’re working with the Japanese-American Society of Kentucky, and we’ll have a tea ceremony and performances by Southern Indiana

each year,” Stevens says. “We hope to have a bonsai festival but also to honor the culture that brings us bonsai.”

Outside the annual festival, the bonsai society will continue educating and spreading the word about the joy and camaraderie they find surrounding the practice.

In 2027, the Waterfront Botanical Gardens is slated to open a bonsai garden — a project led by the bonsai society.

It’s part of the garden’s $22 million project, a Japanese garden including a Japanese tea house, a waterfall, lake, stream and bonsai garden designed by Shiro Nakane, designer.

“Construction will start in the spring, and we hope to have it finished and open by the spring of 2027,” Stevens says. “This will be a world-class bonsai garden with at least 50 trees on display year-round. We’ve got that number in our collection now, and we’ve

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hired a curator to begin taking on more trees. We’d like to have around 150 trees total to switch out based on the season throughout the year.”

Bonsai Weekend will be 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 29 and 30 and 11 a.m. to

4 p.m. May 31. Tickets are $10 for Bonsai Society members, $12 if purchased in advance or $15 at the door. Youth 16 and under are free. For more information, visit waterfrontgardens.org/bonsai/.

CUT ABOVE

KINGSLEY MEATS & CATERING FOCUSES ON QUALITY & COMMUNITY

Hiram Hogg’s journey with Kingsley Meats & Catering began as a teenager while washing dishes, a role that introduced him to the inner workings of a beloved local institution. He has now come full circle as owner and operator, leading one of Louisville’s most respected butcher shops and catering services.

Hogg officially took ownership in 2024 from Jeff Fisher after progressing through various roles over the years. Kingsley has operated since 1947 and has been renowned for its freshest cut-to-order meats and comprehensive catering services across Louisville and beyond. The shop’s vision was to make quality meat accessible to

the local community. It opened primarily as a butcher shop but, over time, evolved by adding a large catering business that has left its mark on Louisville.

Hogg developed into a natural successor thanks to his longstanding loyalty to Kingsley, his friendship with Fisher and his passion for the meat industry.

“I learned a lot about the business as time went on,” Hogg says. “I went off to college, but I would help out around

Christmas and during summers. Eventually, I started working at the counter and doing catering jobs. I learned how to cut meat. Early on, I was not thinking about taking over. (Jeff) offered it to me because he didn’t have kids or anyone to pass it on to. He singled me out as the one who could do it.”

The retail butcher shop is located at 2701 Taylorsville Road in the Highlands community. Customers can stop by the store to peruse all of Kingsley’s fresh-cut and ground offerings on display or in the large freezer and also take home items including USDA Prime dry-aged beef, Amish-raised organic poultry, local pasture-

raised lamb, fresh seafood and homemade pork sausages. Kingsley also offers a selection of mouthwatering sauces and spices that pair great with all of its meats.

The box lunch menu offers smaller portions featuring Kingsley’s signature items in convenient combinations, such as the

popular Derby Classic: two country ham sandwiches on butter buns, one smoked tenderloin sandwich on a croissant, plus salad, fruit and a pie tart. Other options include The Snack, The Lunch Box and The Hearty Lunch, all of which come with variations of sandwiches, sides and desserts.

“We have a deli with all kinds of lunch meats and salads,” Hogg says. “We do a pretty good plate lunch business. You can come in and get meat with two sides and hearty portions. Some people are here nearly every day. You can come in not knowing what you want, shop around and look at the selections. Customers can browse items, and we’ll prepare it however you want right on the spot.”

Kingsley has remained in the same area throughout its history, which Hogg says gives him a big advantage when interacting with customers. He enjoys butchering the meat and also connecting with customers

who come inside.

“There’s good clientele in this area,” Hogg says. “They tend to live here a long time, so you get to know a lot of the people. I grew up a few blocks away, so I know a lot of people.”

Kingsley offers an extensive catering service for weddings, corporate events and casual gatherings. Menus include selections for meat, vegetables, salads, bread, desserts and drinks.

The special holiday menu — available year-round — includes rib, pork or rump roast, sirloin, brisket and tenderloin. Other options include turkey breast, baked country ham, shrimp trays, goose, duck and turduckens. Sides are plentiful with options such as green beans, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, casseroles, hash browns and fruits and vegetables that can complement any meal. Hogg generally lets his chef come up with the menu but stays

true to the classics and traditions Kingsley is best known for.

An a la carte menu contains numerous entrée options including chicken, beef, pork, seafood, soups and salads. Kingsley provides a unique pig roast menu with available carving services and various price points depending on size.

All events are buffet-style, with Kingsley handling setup, cleanup and replenishing the selections as needed during the meal, with bar services also available. Disposable plates, forks, knives, napkins and linens for the buffet are included in the price. If there is an item that customers want that isn’t already on the menu, special requests are welcomed.

Customizable menus are available for all corporate events. Kingsley is able to handle any size group, from business meetings to product launch events, holiday parties and

safety lunches. Casual buffets can also be designed for cookouts and private parties, while a la carte provides flexibility on all the delicious dishes Kingsley has to offer.

Hogg says it’s important for his customers to enjoy the food that is in front of them. All of Kingsley’s products remain popular with guests locally and beyond.

“We’re all about quality,” Hogg says. “The quality we have doesn’t compare to anything you are going to get anywhere else. It’s the best of the best. I have good suppliers that consistently give us good meat. We cut it up ourselves, so it’s not something prepackaged or contains any preservatives. It’s always really fresh and good.”

“We will go anywhere that will have us,” Hogg says. “It doesn’t matter to me, really. I will go anywhere.”

Kingsley already has events booked in 2027 and often will handle many in a single day.

Saturdays during wedding season tend to be the busiest, prompting Hogg to pull in outside help when more requests come in.

“I’ll do 7-8 events in a day,” Hogg says. “I have 18-20 regular workers and another 30 I can pull in who have other jobs but will work weekends for me.”

Hogg says the biggest surprise since taking over has been on the administrative side, with the volume of paperwork that is now his responsibility. So far, he hasn’t made any major changes to the operational model but is still keeping his eye on the future.

“I like the way it’s going,” Hogg says. “I’m not saying nothing will ever change, but I loved it the way I found it. I try not to mess with it too much.”

Hogg has seen every side of the business through various roles over the years. He says that gives him some credibility with his employees, as he is still willing to take on

any role needed.

“I appreciate every single person here, from the lowliest dishwasher to the head meat cutters, because I’ve done it all,” Hogg says. “Every once in a while, I’ll jump in there and do some dishes if I need to and get back to my roots. It’s definitely weird to think about. Still doesn’t quite feel like it’s my own.”

Kingsley is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information on how to place an order, call 502-459-7585 or visit its website at kingsleymeatsandcatering.com.

WOMEN WHO LEAD

THE WOMAN’S CLUB OF LOUISVILLE BLENDS HISTORY & SERVICE

If you think back really hard to your high school U.S. history class, you may recall learning about events that happened in 1890. The Sherman Antitrust Act became law in July of that year, followed days later by the admission of Idaho and Wyoming to the country as states. The Wounded Knee Massacre in South Dakota would follow

less than six months later. In a quiet parlor of a home at Fourth Street and Broadway in Louisville, Kentucky, another historic event was happening.

A group of women had gathered at the invitation of Susan Look Avery, the 68-yearold widow of a local businessman, B.F.

Avery, whose successful plow business had made them wealthy. She had an idea, and that was to begin a civic organization run and organized entirely by women with the goal of helping the community.

One hundred thirty-six years later, The Woman’s Club of Louisville (WCL) remains

a vital and vibrant organization that continues to build on its long legacy. Its history is one of the things that Margaret Young most enjoys about being a member. As a volunteer at the ConradCaldwell House Museum, Margaret already had an interest in local history, so in 2011, when fellow museum volunteers encouraged her to check out The Woman’s Club of Louisville, she accepted and now serves as fundraising chair and historian.

For history enthusiasts, The Woman’s Club has much to offer. The organization petitioned for the passage of the Married Women’s Property Act of 1894, which allowed women to keep and hold property in their own name after marriage. It also worked to have the age of consent changed from 12 to 16. In her time as a Woman’s Club member, Margaret has been able to use her interest in history to have a Kentucky Historical Society marker about Susan Look Avery and The Woman’s Club of Louisville written and installed in front of

their building at 1320 S. Fourth St.

Of course, history isn’t the only draw for members. Woman’s Club President Gayle Bonnarens didn’t really have an interest in the club, even though her mother had been a member for many years. When she did finally visit after a friend hounded her to do so, Gayle walked in and immediately saw her mother’s best friend, a connection that

made her feel that being part of the organization was actually for her.

With experience running a medical practice, Gayle has used her passion for organizational structure to help The Woman’s Club review and revise its bylaws, some of which were more than 100 years old.

If there is a downside to such a long history, it is often the misperceptions that people have about what The Woman’s Club is like. They may think incorrectly that the club is only comprised of older women who don’t work and have extensive wealth. Perhaps they may imagine members still coming to events in their Sunday finery as they did in the 1890s, with hats and high-neck blouses with gigot sleeves. While The Woman’s Club takes pride in its history, its members live throughout Kentuckiana, with unique personal and professional experiences and from a variety of age ranges.

One thing members of The Woman’s Club share in common is a desire to do good in the community and actively serve

others. For more than 25 years, the organization has worked closely to support children at Whitney Young at Englehard by donating clothing and food. They also have a long-term supportive relationship with the Heuser Hearing & Learning Academy. In fact, it was The Woman’s Club that co-founded the school in 1948, which was originally known as the Deaf Oral School.

Members of The Woman’s Club of Louisville are proud of their fundraising efforts, which go to not only support their three historic buildings but small, local nonprofit entities that provide worthwhile services.

“In the last five years, we gave out more than $153,000 in community grants. That includes COVID years when we couldn’t do fundraisers,” Margaret says.

“We’re really proud that we’re on track to give $45,000 this year,” Gayle adds.

In order to generate these funds, The Woman’s Club hosts a variety of events throughout the year. For example, their Bourbon & Bites event in November 2025 showcased 18 distillers for a remarkable bourbon-tasting event that included a live auction. The Woman’s Club also runs Carriage Trade, an upscale consignment boutique that accepts donations. All items sold help to benefit the Charity Fund.

As if history and service weren’t enough, The Woman’s Club is also focused on the simple act of connecting women with each other and having fun. Each week, The Woman’s Club hosts a luncheon for its members, which features some kind of entertainment, whether that be a speaker or even a fun performance by a local musician. Within the club, there are also numerous “special interest” groups, including a book group, a drama group, a garden group, a musical interest group and a travel group. Sometimes these groups host special events for the public. For instance, in 2024, The Woman’s Club drama group performed “In Juliet’s Garden,” in which several of Shakespeare’s heroines discuss issues they have with their respective plots. In addition to an enjoyable play, it featured a beautiful pre-show reception.

Suffice it to say, The Woman’s Club of Louisville is a place that cherishes its history but strives to effect positive change in the here and now, with an eye on the next 136 years. Whether sponsoring its Non-Jury Art Show, an annual event for the past 87 years, or filling up its Little Free Library with books that neighbors can enjoy, the club remains a dynamic force for good in our city.

If you are a woman 18 years or older, have a wide range of interests and want to be part of a long history of exceptional women who offer service to the community, The Woman’s Club of Louisville might be for you. To learn more, you can visit wclouisville.org.

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HEMP ADVOCATE

502 HEMP WELLNESS CENTER OWNER FIGHTS FOR INDUSTRY SURVIVAL

For Dee Dee Taylor, the hemp business is far more than a career — it’s deeply personal. That’s why she continues to fight so fiercely for its survival.

Taylor is the owner and founder of 502

Writer / Gavin LaPaille

Hemp Wellness Center and its sister store, 812 Hemp. Both stores offer consumers a selection of products derived from hemp, such as CBD, Delta-8 and Delta-9 that are federally compliant for sale and use. Many consumers report using these products for issues such as anxiety, pain, and sleep difficulties.

“The anecdotal evidence of these products is absolutely breathtaking,” Taylor says. “They help with so many different ailments,” she adds, pointing to what she describes as strong anecdotal results. “It’s been such a game changer for so many people.”

Taylor’s journey into the hemp industry began after her husband, John, sought a natural alternative to control the grand mal

seizures he regularly experienced. John learned about CBD oils, started making his own and used them in place of the 28 pills he was taking daily. According to Taylor, the results have been life-changing: while not a cure, the number of seizures declined and he was able to get off all pharmaceutical medications. In 2014, when Kentucky launched its Hemp Pilot Program, John and his business partner were among the first to be licensed as processors.

Taylor began using her husband’s hemp products to control her own anxiety and panic attacks and says she noticed a remarkable difference. In 2016, Taylor switched career paths from her paralegal background to focus full time on the hemp industry, selling products at local fairs and expos. 502 Hemp officially opened in 2018 and 812 Hemp in 2022, becoming Louisville and Clarksville’s premier hemp education boutiques. 502 Hemp also has space at Logan Street Market as an in-between location complementing both stores.

“These products made such a huge difference I had to educate myself as to why they worked for me and why they worked for John,” Taylor says. “The more I learned, I realized everyone should have safe access to these products. I wanted people to come into the store and learn how to use these products correctly. My number one reason for opening the stores was for consumers to be able to ask questions and get educated answers.”

Many of Taylor’s products have become customer favorites. Blueberry Dreams, which contains CBD, CBN and chamomile, is marketed for sleep support and reduced nighttime awakenings. Strawberry Feels is a gummy featuring CBD and CBG that customers often seek out for mood support. DZD9 Ganja Grape — 502 Hemp’s biggest seller, according to Taylor — is a gummy derived from Delta 9 THC and CBN that is designed to promote relaxation and better sleep.

While many consumers report benefits, hemp-derived products are not evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating medical conditions, and research remains ongoing.

“I’m blessed with a great team here,” Taylor says. “A lot of us are certified cannabis educators. The more we learn about each individual cannabinoid, the more we are able to create individualized gummies or products that benefit people. By focusing on specific cannabinoids, we can make them work for specific ailments. I love being able to formulate our own products like

that. My team helps me with some of those thought processes, so I can’t take credit for every product we have. It’s been a lot of fun, learning and creating new products that customers love.”

That success is currently under serious threat. Taylor’s recent focus has been fighting a new federal restriction that would make most of her products illegal. A provision in the 2025 federal spending bill caps total THC at 0.4 milligrams per final consumer package, effectively banning nearly all current hemp products such as gummies, oils and drinks. The provision

takes effect Nov. 12, 2026, and could devastate Kentucky’s $300 million hemp sector.

“I will not be able to stay in business if this goes through,” Taylor says. “There’s no way. What they are proposing would kill about 98% of our products and I couldn’t survive on the other two percent.”

As president of the Kentucky Hemp Association, Taylor champions the entire industry, not just her own stores. Her leadership has earned major honors, including being commissioned a Kentucky

Public Policy Catalyst Epic Award from the National Association of Women Business Owners, along with multiple 2025 chamber awards for advocacy and entrepreneurship.

“Every legislative session there is something we have to focus on to stay in business and continue to sell some of these products,” Taylor says. “That takes up quite a bit of my time, more than I’d like. I’d rather be focused on my customers and team. Being the president, it’s not just about me though. I’m working to benefit everyone in this industry. Even if people don’t come to my store, I want them to have safe access and

the option to go to their favorite place. It is important to me to advocate for the entire industry, not just for my stores.”

Taylor offers a variety of resources to anyone looking to help. 502 Hemp sends out a weekly email with detailed information on products and industry news. Taylor also hosts a podcast called Hempin’ Happiness that dives deeper into hemp-related topics, available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. She urges anyone who has benefited from hemp products to reach out to local politicians and ask them to save the hemp industry. You can also support the industry

by becoming a member or supporter of the Kentucky Hemp Association.

“I appreciate everyone who has supported and bought from me over the years. Loyalty means everything to me.” Taylor says. “I love what I do and being able to help others with these products is the most rewarding “job” that I have ever had. Afterall, happiness is found in helping others.”

For more information on 502 Hemp, check out its website at 502hemp.com or call 502654-7100.

LOUISVILLE AREA EVENTS

1

6TH ANNUAL KEGS & EGGS

Lou Lou on Market | 812 E. Market Street

KY Oaks Morning

9 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

FREE Admission | Benefiting APRON Inc

Reservations Recommended: 502.515.9699

Music: Slapstick Rehab 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

2

FARM ANIMAL FEEDING

KICK-OFF CELEBRATION

Blackacre State Nature Preserve & Historic Homestead, 3200 Tucker Station Road.

9:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

3 THE BLACK KEYS: PEACHES ‘N KREAM

Louisville Palace, 625 S. 4th Street.

8 p.m.

Doors open at 7:00 pm. All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges. Everyone, regardless of age including babes in arms, must purchase a ticket.

7

LOUISVILLE BATS VS. NASHVILLE SOUNDS

Louisville Slugger Field, 401 E Main St.

9

HARBOR HISTORY

401 W River Rd.

3 p.m.

Let us guide you into the unique and intriguing history of Louisville on the Ohio River.

14

LOUISVILLE CITY FC VS PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS SC

Lynn Family Stadium, 350 Adams St.

7 p.m.

AI ESSENTIAL

University of Louisville, 2301 S. 3rd St..

8:30 a.m.-12 a.m.

Unlock the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) with our exclusive executive education course.

UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE BASEBALL VS VIRGINIA

Ky., Jim Patterson Stadium, 6-9 p.m.

University of Louisville Baseball vs Virginia

15-17

RINGLING BROS. AND BARNUM & BAILEY CIRCUS

KFC YUM! Center, 1 Arena Plaza.

7 p.m. / 11 a.m. / 3 p.m.

16-17

LOUISVILLE HORROR CON 2026

Kentucky Exposition Center, 937 Phillips Lane.

10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Join Us: Mark your calendars for May 16-17, 202, and prepare for an unforgettable experience at Louisville Horror Con.

21

BRIT FLOYD - THE WALL, THE MOON AND BEYOND!

Louisville Palace, 625 S. 4th Street.

8 p.m.

Doors open at 7:00pm. Palladium Entertainment and Live Nation present BRIT FLOYD: The World’s GREATEST Pink Floyd Show: The Wall, The Moon and Beyond! All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges.

22-25

KENTUCKY FLEA MARKET MEMORIAL DAY SPECTACULAR

Kentucky Expo Center, 937 Phillips LN.

10 a.m.-6 p.m. / 11 a.m.-5 p.m. / 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The KY Flea Market is your chance to find treasures old and new. Shop over 600 booths of antiques, collectibles, jewelry, clothes, bath & body, surplus, and more.

23

ABBEY ROAD ON THE RIVER

Big 4 Station Park Jeffersonville IN, Mulberry St.

8:30 p.m.

Festival is 5 days

Different ticket options available

ZOSO - THE ULTIMATE LED ZEPPELIN EXPERIENCE

Mercury Ballroom, 611 S 4th Street.

8 p.m.

The Mercury Ballroom is an all-ages, standing room venue, all

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

27

WFPK WATERFRONT

WEDNESDAY

Big Four Bridge, Wheel Fun Rentals, 1001 River Rd. 5-10 p.m.

WFPK Waterfront Wednesday

Where: Big Four Lawn – 1001 River Road

Waterfront Park and 91.9 WFPK Independent Louisville are delighted to announce the 2026 dates for WFPK Waterfront Wednesday®.

29

LOUISVILLE BATS VS. ST. PAUL SAINTS

Louisville Slugger Field, 401 E Main St.

PROM ON THE BELLE

Belle of Louisville, 7-9 p.m.

Dress up, hit the dance floor, and cruise the Ohio River for two hours of music, memories, and cocktails, all with scenic waterfront views and a relaxed, nostalgic vibe.

30

21ST ANNUAL FEAT 5K WALK/RUN FOR AUTISM

The Parklands at Floyds Fork, 9200 Shelbyville Rd, Suite 530. 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Welcome to the 21st Annual FEAT of Louisville Run/Walk for Autism.

LOUISVILLE H.E.R.O. RUN/WALK/RUCK

5K & 10K

Cardinal Track Stadium, 2125 S. Floyd St. 8-10 a.m.

The 5th Annual Louisville Honor Earned, Remembrance Owed (H.E.R.O.) Run/Walk/Ruck honors those who died in battle and those we lost at home to the psychological wounds of war.

ROLLIN’ ON THE RIVER FEST

Big 4 Station Park – Jeffersonville, Indiana 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM

A festival of craft drinks, music, and community — all benefiting the WHAS Crusade for Children. Benefiting the WHAS Crusade for Children

General Admission – $45

Purchase Tickets: hrollinontheriverfest.com

Since 1972, St. Matthews Area Ministries (St. MAM) has served the community through a range of programs addressing basic needs — from utility assistance to food insecurity. Three churches, now grown to 10, came together to meet the basic needs of their neighbors.

“St. Matthews Area Ministries came to fruition when the churches were overwhelmed with general basic-needs requests. It escalated when the tornadoes hit this area in 1974, and as you can imagine, programs have come and gone over the past five decades because the needs are always

GOLF CLASSIC RETURNS

ST. MATTHEWS AREA MINISTRIES CONTINUES MISSION OF NEIGHBOR CARE

Writer / Melissa Gibson

changing,” says Executive Director Julie Abbott.

Abbott says she believes most people have at least somewhere and somehow heard about the food pantry. In 2025, more than 8,500 volunteer hours resulted in the distribution of 300,387 pounds of food over the year.

Backed by 10 dedicated partner congregations — Beargrass Christian, Crossroads Christian Church, Harvey Browne Presbyterian Church, Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Matthews Baptist Church, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, St. Matthews United Methodist Church and Sojourn Community Church East Campus — the mission is powered by a committed community of volunteers and supporters who give generously of their time and resources.

New this year, St. MAM has created a partnership program with local businesses and organizations. These inaugural partners include Independence Bank, Ken Combs Running Store, St. Matthews Baseball and Tin Roof, which collect tangible and financial donations and support the ministry by hosting events and sponsoring

fundraisers.

While St. MAM continues to seek additional local partners, its impact extends far beyond the food pantry. St. MAM does so much more.

Last year, the emergency financial assistance program helped 215 families maintain electricity in their homes, 45 families maintain access to clean water, and 120 families remain sheltered and safe in the Louisville area.

St. MAM also provides essentials for infants and children. Through this program, it provided support for 292 families with diapers, formula, wipes, shampoo and other infant care items. In late summer, volunteers packed school supplies for 69 families and helped make Christmas magical for 103 children over the holidays.

“We have a village of volunteers. More than 100 volunteers support our vision and needs. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do,” Abbott says.

As the needs continue to grow, the need for support and funding continues to increase, too.

“Our biggest challenge is to keep these

basic needs before the churches and the younger generation. During the pandemic, we received federal funding, but those resources dried up. We’re trying to get more creative from the fundraising perspective because things can get extremely hard in the last six months of the year when funding streams are exhausted,” Abbott says.

St. MAM is hopeful that its upcoming fundraising events will welcome all ages and help educate others on the many programs it supports.

The ministry will host its annual Golf Classic on June 8, with several new activities.

For starters, the location is new. The 12th annual Golf Classic will be held at Woodhaven Country Club.

“We have been told we host the best golf scramble,” Abbott says. “There are complimentary on-course beverages, dinner and drinks, a silent auction, and an awards reception. We’re starting it a little later this year, too, with a shotgun start at 2:30 p.m.”

What was once an August event has shifted to June as well.

“This year, we’ve moved it to June 8, with festivities beginning at 1 p.m., as the recent August events had occurred in extreme heat. Our thought was perhaps if we waited until school was out, we might have some teens and college students interested too; they could complete a foursome with a parent, colleague or friend,” Abbott says. “We’ve also built out a new nine-hole shootout. One player is guaranteed to walk away with a $1,000 prize, and a hole-in-one on the final shootout could win $1 million.”

BELMONT VILLAGE — A LEADER IN MEMORY CARE PROGRAMMING

Belmont Village’s Circle of Friends Program was developed to slow the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of Dementia. This one of a kind, seven day a week program includes mental and physical activities focused on building cognitive reserve to maintain brain function.

If you think this program might benefit your loved one, don’t hesitate, contact Belmont Village St. Matthews today.

At 1 p.m., golfers can register, and the range and green will open. At 1:30 p.m., ticket holders can participate in a 50/50 contest for $20 cash, with the winner bringing home half of the total raised at the event, and the shotgun start is at 2:30 p.m.

By 6:45 p.m., prizes will be awarded to Top Men’s/Mixed Team, Top Women’s Team, Last Place Team, 9-Hole Shootout Winner, and additional prizes for Men’s Longest Drive, Women’s Longest Drive, Longest Putt and Closest to the Line.

Also new this year, and with the mission to welcome all ages and the entire family, is a pool party at Woodhaven.

While golfers are enjoying camaraderie and time out on the green, a pool party will kick off at 3 p.m. with complimentary mocktails,

pizza, ice cream and a kid zone full of activities for children.

“Not everyone is a golfer,” Abbott says. “This is a separate registration but a great way to bring the community and families together, and both events will raise critical dollars that allow us to continue serving our neighbors.”

The silent auction on the Golf Classic side and the pool party will both close at 8 p.m.

“Everyone is invited to either event, including our long-time supporters, those who are brand new and may be unfamiliar with the organization, and others in the community. It’s a chance to learn more about what we do in a relaxed, summer environment,” Abbott says. “This work is really fulfilling. We wish there wasn’t a need for our services, but I’m incredibly thankful that we’re here to meet it.”

Visit St. MAM online at stmam.com/golf-2/ to register or donate toward the mission.

COREY BOSTON

corey@townepost.com

(502) 407-0185

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