RICHMOND, Ky. ( FOX 56 )—The Red Poppy has been open since January. It sells flowers, coffee, and sandwiches and helps the community along the way.
Owner Jeremy Smythe said he had to overcome a lot of obstacles to become a successful business owner, with a past that includes being homeless, jailed, and sexually abused.
He was excited to learn that Red Poppy was a finalist for the small business award category for this year’s Richmond 40th Annual Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet until it was abruptly canceled.
He believes it is because he and others in the community questioned why a much larger business was also in the category.
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“It was brought to my attention through several customers, when I say we have a following we really have a following, it was brought to my attention that, ‘Hey, we don’t feel like this is fair. There’s a business that’s up, that’s worth millions, and you’re just a small little piece of the puzzle of the pie,” said Smythe.