W.D. Bryant has big plans for 90th anniversary

An iconic area business is inviting the community to join in as it celebrates its 90^th year in business on April 7.

W.D. Bryant and Son employs 78 people at its two locations. Lee Bryant, one of the partners in the business, credited past and present employees’ dedication as one of the biggest reasons for the continued success.

W.D. Bryant in Corbin and Williamsburg will host the event featuring food, fun, entertainment, demonstration, vendors and a host of surprises from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Kallene Turner, one of the event organizers, said Bryant employees will be grilling up hotdogs and demonstrating some of the grills available at the same time.

A chainsaw artist will be providing demonstrations.

There will be rock painting for the first 90 children at each location courtesy of the Corbin and Whitley County libraries.

“The Whitley County Library will also be giving out children’s books,” Turner said.

The main event will be a special giveaway to two people at each store.

“Watch the W.D. Bryant’s social media sites for the opportunity to win,” Turner said declining to reveal what the prizes are.

“It will be will worth their while,” Turner said of the prizes.

W.D. Bryant and Sons, Inc. was founded in 1928. The original location was on West Ky. 92 in the Paint Creek Community, serving as a general store.

Bryant moved to the current location at 372 South Fifth Street in Williamsburg several years later, continuing to serve as a general store.

“His work staff was never in short supply. With a family of 23 children, W.D. made certain in having adequate help in serving customers in the area,” Bryant family members explained.

Bryant’s son, Clarence, a Korean War veteran, along with Daisy Bryant, was the second generation to run the store.

In 1960, Bill, Edgar and Marvin Bryant, along with Bob Bukovitz, became the third generation to take charge, continuing to grow the business, which is currently under the guidance of William, Darren and Lee Bryant, along with Jeff Earnest.

“Our business remains family owned extended in some means,” Bryant family members explained. “However, we continue to carry that same family unity, long lasting employees, loyal customer base, and pride that has kept this business alive for 90 years.

In their time, the current generation has opened the second location at 1405 South Main Street in Corbin.

In a day and age when people’s first thought when taking on a home improvement project is Lowe’s or Walmart, W.D. Bryant has been able to keep a solid amount of customer loyalty

W.D. Bryant and Son is owned and operated by a partnership consisting of Jeff Earnest and William, Lee and Darren Bryant.

Lee Bryant attributed that to three things.

“We always had everything you need to complete the projects. We have experts that had year of experience. But the most important thing, is that people are emotionally connected to the store,” Lee Bryant said explaining that so many customers come in and tell stories about dealing with his parents and even grandparents.

“A couple months ago, a 97-year-old lady came in talking about going to the store on Jellico Creek,” he said.

Darren Bryant said while it may be the case in other areas of retail, price does not always win out in the home improvement world.

“We have tried to put the customers first and make it convenient to do business at our store,” Darren Bryant said.