Note: Please do NOT make any contributions if Change.org asks for it- we are not asking for money and are going to do everything to get your funds returned to you to all who donated thinking they were helping us. So, so sorry for the confusion! We absolutely appreciate the support but do not wish for anyone to contribute financially. Change.org is asking for that for their own platform, not us. Thank you! 

Lexie Holler Market, located in Belvidere, Tennessee, has been open for a few months now and serving customers by the grace of God. The goal of opening a country store was to have a place for the people in our community, which is located in between a predominantly rural area in  Franklin and Moore counties, to come to not only get a bite to eat but to pick up a few groceries without having to go all the way into town. This store is one of the few exclusively American-owned convenience businesses in our county, and we feel not only is it our right to exist, but that we are a necessity in our area.

You can imagine our surprise when we were told that we could be shut down for failing to be permitted when we went to get our business license (after passing our final state build inspection). This news came as a shock as it was delivered months later when we had already visited the planning and zoning commission prior to the build and asked to purchase a permit. Initially, we were told we did not need a building permit because the property was in greenbelt (as it is a 15+ acre parcel) and an agricultural build. Counties are not allowed to regulate the building of properties on agricultural land, per Tennessee code. So, we did what we needed to in order to stay open. Although we felt it was unfair, we paid the survey fee, had the survey done, and had one acre of the property converted to commercial land per their insistence. 

 Since then, there have been threats to shut the business down and threats to have the entire 60 plus acre property converted to residential. Now that is has "come to their attention", they felt she needed to rezone all of the property to residential 4 years after the fact since she built a house on a small part of it. Again, perfectly legal in accordance with Tennessee code. Most of this acreage is currently being cropped or leased for cattle. The entire future of the business hinges on the county commission to see "if they would approve" the change in zoning. Neighbors have been sent letters requesting to see how they feel about the rezoning when the property doesn't even touch anyone else's parcel. We just want to be a help to our community, and we have done nothing wrong. Every permit, inspection, and process has been followed to the tee, and we have a 100% health rating from the Department of Health. We were voted as an ESPN MVB by our local radio station and recently held our ribbon cutting with the Chamber of Commerce. We're doing everything right, operate completely above board, want to be a part of this community, and we deserve a chance. We are not newcomers. Our family has been here hundreds of years and is a fixture in our part of Franklin County, so why all the extra hoops? 

It seems ludicrous to us that we are even having to ask this, but if you agree with us, would you please consider signing this petition so that we may present it at an upcoming county commission meeting? Thank you!