Page 12 - 2026 VB Community Profile

COMMUNITY
Yeager Family, Chamber Create

Entrepreneurial Support Organization

The Yeager family, owners of Yeager’s empower local leaders in communities to try to help the community grow and
Ace Hardware, with six River Valley across Arkansas. Our philosophy is prosper since 1959, when we opened the
locations, and Shamrock Liquor, located simple: those who already know and love hardware store on Broadway,” said Shirley
in North Fort Smith, have established their communities are best equipped to Yeager, whose husband, Ed, passed away
a funding mechanism to create a new shape their future.” suddenly in 2020. “We want to lend a
Entrepreneurial Support Organization “Julie, Sasha, Tracy, and Shannon helping hand to new small businesses, and
(ESO), in partnership with The Chamber. are applying the tools and training from give them a hand up as they get started.”
“This kind of brings us full circle with 75Strong to strengthen Van Buren’s Shirley remembered the store was only
the new Business Resource Center,” entrepreneurial ecosystem, not by 3,700 square feet in size when it opened,
said Chamber President and CEO, Julie bringing in outside consultants, but by and Ed earned a paltry $100 per week for
Murray. “If it wasn’t for the Yeager family building on the relationships, talent, managing the fledgling operation.
donating the land on which the new and assets that already exist,” Smith Shirley’s daughter, Deborah Clark,
Library was built, our building would still continued. “Their work is a powerful added “My family’s big dreams started
be the Library. They have supported the example of how local leadership, when small, right here in Van Buren. We love
Van Buren community for many years, supported with the right resources and being able to assist in offering a place
giving back every time they have been network, can drive sustainable change where other local entrepreneurs can get
asked.” from within.” help and learn to succeed with their small
The ESO concept was discussed The new ESO, which will be launched businesses. It makes a difference in Van
during one of the sessions of 75Strong, in early 2026, will serve as a hub to Buren and helps our community grow.”
a program of the Arkansas Economic provide support and collaborative “We appreciate the Yeagers so much.
Development Commission (AEDC) that opportunities to start-up businesses that Ed and Shirley were the 2006 recipients
was created in early 2025. Julie Murray, have existed for five years or less. These of the Iverson Riggs Citizens of the Year
Sasha Grist, executive director of will include co-working days that offer award, and have been contributors
WAPDD, entrepreneur Tracy Burba, and the chance to brainstorm with other to many successful efforts in the past
City Council member Shannon Newerth- entrepreneurs, attending special training that have benefited the Van Buren
Henson are participating in the program, programs, and the opportunity to meet community,” Murray concluded. “In this
representing Van Buren. with representatives of ASBTDC and case, multiple generations of their family
Drew Smith, Program Director of other business resources. are once again creating something that
75Strong, said “75Strong is designed to “Ed and I together always wanted will make a huge difference.”

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12 Van Buren Chamber 2026 Community Profile vanburenchamber.org