HOSPITALITY ALIVE IN LITTLE ROCK - SPOTLIGHT SERIES

Callie Epperson - Walgreens Pharmacy (Cantrell & Mississippi) Little Rock, Arkansas

What is hospitality?
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Hospitality is a generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.  I tend to frequent places that go that extra mile on hospitality or just plain common courtesy.  It takes less energy to be polite than it does to be harsh.  Strangers can become friends overtime..

I have been stopping by the Walgreens Pharmacy located at Cantrell & Mississippi for many years.   This store opens at 7:00 a.m.  Often times I am at the door awaiting to be the first in.   I love smaller scale stores because it is faster to grab morning snacks, cosmetics, etc.  After my leg injury, it is worth for me to pay a little extra than to try and tackle a large department store.

My favorite part of stopping at this particular Walgreens is to visit with Callie Epperson.   Callie has been at this Walgreens for over eight years.  Married, with two grown children and a grandmother.   "I am finding out that I like to sing" is what she said she most discovered about herself. Callie sings in the church choir at the Baptist Church in Morrilton, Arkansas where her husband has been the Pastor the last five years.   She said that he has been in the Ministry business for over 20 years.  

Callie is the definition of hospitality.  Callie is kind and loves to listen about life stories.   We spoke often about my kids throughout the years.  She loved looking at the photos of David's Wedding as she opened to make sure they were developed properly.    Last Christmas I gave Callie a glass with silver glass charms that I had made for my friends and co-workers.   Callie was so pleased to find that someone appreciated her kindness. She immediately took the glass back to where her employee locker was so it wouldn't get broken.

I remember several years ago, I went in the store on a cold day with a cup of hot chocolate in hand. Callie was filling a little under the weather and said how wonderful the hot chocolate smelled.   I decided to go across the street to the Starbucks and returned back with hot chocolate to surprise her.  She was so excited and so appreciative.  She couldn't believe that I went back just to bring her one. I was as blessed from her smiles and thankfulness. 

Hospitality is a two way street.  Be kind to one another and for everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.   

Over the next several weeks I will be "spotlighting" some everyday people who show kindness, common courtesy and simple hospitality throughout Little Rock.   Hospitality is alive and well in this City and it starts with each of us.

P.S.  Callie your hair and makeup looks just great!


xoxo
​Pat

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