On Friday a new photography studio opened on 2nd Street. The owner of Alisa Danae Photography, Alisa Lusche, is a talented recent graduate of the Art Institute of Colorado. Recently Bob Hinton renovated Kimball Bakery, adding tables and lunch service. He prepares burgers, cheesesteaks and other meals now, in addition to doughnuts. A new sports bar, Mad Dog’s, filled the old Greg’s Grub space, also opening for lunchtime crowds.

Before these, a shop selling regional goods and food items opened between Subway and the public library, a used clothing shop set up in another 2nd Street storefront and Shawn Mannon set up a counseling and ministry office.

Meanwhile Castronics continues to expand, recently merging with IOS out of Louisiana, bidding is underway on the rail spur and the city is bracing for a series of warm weather projects, including reconstruction of the 30-71 intersection, certain to bring crews into town.

Soon the doors will swing open on a new florist shop, as well.

While the number of recently shuttered businesses—Goodhand Theater, for example—continue to weigh on the community, we believe these recent openings prove Kimball’s resilience. Entrepreneurs refuse to give up on this market. They have a talent for photography or food or sales and they insist this will make them a decent living. The money they keep here and the buildings they occupy are a boost for the community.

There is, in other words, hope for this city yet.

It behooves each of us to visit these places of business at least once. They’ve played their part, taking the risk to set up in a rough and uncertain economy. They’ve put money, time and sweat on the line. We need to do our part and pay them back for the confidence they’ve shown in this market.

Sure, a photography studio, a bar and a lunch spot represent economic development on a small scale. But Kimball needs the mom and pop operations just as surely as it desires a larger employer.

We applaud these owners for their efforts. And we encourage Kimball residents to do the same.