Community Trailblazers Support Local Shops, High School Seniors To Be ‘Bristow Strong’

One woman in Bristow had an idea to help support local shops hit hard by the pandemic, but businesses aren’t the only ones that are benefiting.

The organizer said a simple idea of selling ‘Bristow Strong’ signs has a much greater meaning.

The idea came to Kris Wyatt while she was on vacation in Colorado and doing some Main Street shopping. There were signs all over supporting local businesses, and she thought ‘Bristow needs this, too.’ 

Wyatt advocates for small businesses and is on the Bristow City Council. She is also the owner of Bristow's Be Love Yoga Studio. Community members said she pours her heart and soul into her town. After her trip to Colorado, Wyatt was inspired. She began consulting community trailblazers and speaking Bristow Strong signs into existence.  

“The signs were designed to be simple and a concept that would just spread easily,” said Wyatt. “Support Bristow. Shop local." 

Wyatt said when someone buys a sign for $25, she then takes her profit to purchase gift cards from local businesses. Those gift cards are gifted to the high school and sold or auctioned by students to sponsor their Project Graduation.

Kristin Weaver, the owner of Venue 66, is helping Wyatt with the Bristow Strong Shop Local Campaign. Weaver said she hopes people will recognize the services offered in Bristow.  

"Most anything that you can think of that you need is here in town,” said Weaver. “Keeping your spending dollars in Bristow really does have a big effect on the whole town." 

Terri Miller owns Route 66 Nutrition and is just one of many local shops that will benefit from the cause.  

"This community does a great job of coming together and paying things forward,” Miller said. “We like to say we take care of our own.”   

Miller said they don't just care for their own, they also have a much wider outreach. 

Wyatt is hopeful this campaign grows, and who knows, someone driving down Bristow's Main Street will feel inspired just like Wyatt was.  

"We see this as a win, win, win,” said Wyatt. “It helps to build a sense of community pride [and] community awareness." 

The city council looked at local revenue during the pandemic and discovered their income, sales, and use tax are up. It looks like Bristow Strong might be catching on.